Job of the week: Harvest new potatoes
First early, or new potatoes should be growing strongly by now, and depending on when you planted you can start thinking about harvesting them. Test to see if the tubers are ready by burrowing close to the plants with your fingers. If you can only feel tiny tubers, leave the plant in the ground to grow a little longer: But once they reach around hen’s egg size, dig up your plants and enjoy that mouthwatering new potato flavour.
• Read this week’s Ardcarne Garden Centre Newsletter [here…]
Flowers:
Sow winter bedding such as violas, primulas and wallflowers
Cut back oriental poppies and pulmonarias after flowering for fresh foliage
Divide spring-flowering bulbs and replant in pots or borders
Fruit & veg:
Plant out leek seedlings when pencil thick, ‘puddling’ in for long white shanks
Tuck straw around strawberries to prevent rain splash and encourage ripening
Water potatoes for larger tubers and to reduce the risk of scab
Greenhouse:
Feed tomatoes regularly with a high-potassium fertiliser
Keep temperatures down by opening up all ventilation
Remove weeds regularly so they don’t out-compete your crops
Around the garden:
Water newly-sown or turfed lawns in dry periods
Top up ponds with rainwater as soon as it drops more than 2cm below normal
Make supports for tall-growing plants using twiggy hazel sticks or canes
