Fact Sheet 31
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THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 31
1st May 2005
THE DIARY THE FLOWER GARDEN: Feed Shrubs Shrubs this week will benefit from a top dress of fertiliser. This will give them a much needed boost after the riggers off the bad weather we had earlier this month. Apply a handful of fertiliser for each plant. Scatter the plant food around the base of your plants and then lightly hoe in. There are various feeds available on the market but it can be useful and easier to find which can be used for all types of shrubs. An ideal feed is Vitax Conifer & Shrub fertiliser. This can be used for any type of shrub or conifer as is also ideal for ericaceous plants like Azalea's & Rhododendrons. Once applied, give each plant a welcomed drink and then apply a mulch of bark or cocoa shell which will help reduce moisture loss from the soil in the months ahead.
THE GREENHOUSE: Start shading
With the increase of daylight it can be useful to start shading your glazing. By doing this now it will save you time and reduce any early scorching. By painting some Coolglass white wash onto your glazing this will allow the light through but keep the harmful ultra-violet light out. Make sure you get an even coverage. It can be applied with a brush though for quickness, apply the Coolglass with the use of a chemical sprayer.
FRUIT & VEG: Plant out leeks
Leeks can now be planted out. There are two ways of growing them. The first is to create a trench similar to a celery trench but only have it about 15cm deep. Manure the base of the trench well and also apply a general fertiliser. Plant the young leeks at a depth of 5cm in single or double rows. As the plants grow on earth up the soil around them. Another way is to grow them in holes. It is similar to the trench method except each leek is planted into a hole of the same depth as trench.
This method is ideal for people with a smaller plot or where ornamentals and edible crops are planted together. Leeks will thrive in a rich, fertile soil so make sure that the area is prepared well before planting.
PEST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK: Rust on Hollyhocks
Rust attacks many plants and can hamper the growth of the host. Hollyhocks (Althea) in recent years have become seriously vulnerable to it. The leaves are slowly covered in the raised orange pustules which grow on the underside of the leaves. The upper side slowly turns yellow or orange making the leaf look mottled and unsightly. If left the leaves will slowly die off. The pustules will disperse their fungal spores into the air thus affecting other plants if not treated. At first signs of attack remove all infected leaves and then spray with a fungicide every two weeks until all signs of attack have ceased. Listen to The Gardener's Diary with Luke Ashmead on BBC Three Counties Radio every Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm Contact The Gardener's Diary Here BBC Three Counties Radio 94.7, 98, 103.8, 95.5 and 104.5FM | 
