April Week 3

April always brings such a mixed selection of weather, especially here in the Highlands! Glorious sunshine at the weekend, rain the next day, frosty mornings then 40mph winds. At least we are heading in the right direction and we will be hopefully seeing more of the sunshine.

Winter Squash

This week a rare feeling came across everyone in the garden as we suddenly felt on top of all the jobs to be done But it was short lived as we soon realised there was some forgotten seeds to be sown, a new bed that could be dug and soil that could be turned. A gardeners work is never done!

One of many pages from the garden seed log.

This week we have sown most things now and are moving onto second sowings to help give our second crop to extend the period of harvest in the summer. Broadbeans (Robin Hood), Dwarf Beans (Caledonia) Mange Touts (Sugar Ann) and Leeks (Northern Lights) are just some examples of the seeds sown.

We have begun planting some of the winter squashes (Uchiki Kuri) seedlings into polytunnel beds and are filling the space in between with Coriander seedlings to make use of the spare bed space while we wait for the squash to grow.

Flowers

Spring flowers are continuing their seasonal show, once daffodils are finished flowering make sure to remove the spent flower heads so the goodness goes back into the bulb.

As the next week progresses start to think about hardening off non hardy plants. Bedding, or young seedlings, putting outside on the nice days and bringing in when cold. This helps get the plants toughened up for going outside permanently once all risk of frost has passed. (Usually the 2^nd week of May with us.)

Aubretia

One flowering highlight of the gardens up here at this time of year is the Aubretia. Coming in colours of pinks, violets, purples and whites, you will usually see them cascading over the drystone walls. They like full sun, well drained and slightly alkaline soil. Short lived but take from cutting very easily. A mut have plant to grow if you have the right place for it.

Vegetables

Start sowing more of what you have already sown to help extend your harvest. If you haven't started already sow some salad crops, (Little Gem, salad bowl green/red, rocket and radishes “Cherry Belle” are some of what we have growing)

Tomato seedlings can be potted up now if they are growing in small seed trays before they get planted in their final position.

House plants

As the weather warms up outside pests and bugs can start to appear on houseplants (now the windows are being opened again). Keep an eye out for aphids and mealybugs. There is organic treatments available, a solution of dishwasher detergent mixed with water sprayed on them usually controls aphids. Mealybugs can be more difficult and may require neem oil which can be bought online.

View over the empty vegetable beds, all ready for planting.

Thank goodness the days are getting so much longer now, so much work to be done in the garden and with the weather changing so quickly it’s trying to get the jobs done before it changes again!