Gardeners’ World expert Joe Swift says it is ‘fast approaching’ the time of year that two types of plants should be put in your garden, and why he would buy them now, he says hold off sowing them
Gardeners are being urged to buy two types of plant now(Image: Getty Images)
Gardeners are being urged to buy two types of plants from nurseries now. Although they are being warned about planting them yet in case we face another cold snap.
Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift says we are “fast approaching” the time of year that you should be planting your tender annuals and herbs. However Joe says he would hold off putting them in the ground yet.
Writing in The Times, he said: “Buy them from the garden centre and nurseries now but, depending where you live, perhaps don’t plant out for another two weeks. If you do, watch out for a cold snap.”
Joe explains that annuals are often sold in pots or strips. The climbers, such as sweet peas, morning glory, Spanish flag, and black-eyed Susans are “great value” options.
He says that some of them can reach up to three or four metres tall and will continue to flower through the summer. The plants are also an option for borders that lack heights, Joe explains.
Now is a good time to buy herbs, says Joe(Image: Sunphol Sorakul/Getty Images)
He said: “For borders that lack height, consider making a wigwam from bamboo or hazel canes — push them into the soil and tie them together at the top, then grow a climber or two over.”
However Joe says your hardy and tender annual flowers, such as cosmos, nicotiana, snapdragons, nigellas, and poached egg plants can go straight in now. As can your annual herbs like basil and coriander and more hardy herbs such as mint and chives.
Joe explains that many of these plants are both “ornamental” and “tasty”. The RHS explains that fresh herbs are “easy to grow” and offer an extra kick to your meal times once harvested.
It says herbs should be grown in full sun with plenty of light with a well-drained and moisture-retentive soil. The society says seeds for plants such as coriander and dill should be sown on a fortnightly basis throughout the spring and summer.
Basil is a good herb to plant now, Joe explains(Image: Getty Images)
Gardeners are urged to plant several herbs with different maturing times to help keep their herb gardens productive. While herbs such as chives, mint, parsley and tarragon should be grown outdoors and brought inside for winter.
Stronger herbs such as mint and sage should be potted in larger containers. Gardeners with limited space can use a grow bag. And herbs planted in spring can be sown under cloches and frames, the RHS explains.
Alternatively, gardeners can sow trays in a greenhouse, conservatory, or a sunny windowsill that will be ready for planting when the soil warms up. Some herbs such as lavender, sage and thyme and rosemary can be victims to the rosemary beetle.
Other young seedlings can also need protection from birds, slugs and snails. Other herbs such as dill and basil struggle when overcrowded.
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