Head Gardener's Blog: Spring 2025

Head Gardener Tim discusses what Abbotsford's small garden team are up to this National Gardening Week.

The early spring warmth has been very welcome, encouraging our varieties of vegetable and flowering plants to germinate and maintain strong growth.

The weather has helped trees and shrubs to produce an abundance of early blossom, with our fruit trees looking like they will produce a bumper crop.

Tulips, daffodils and a host of spring flowering plants have certainly liked the warmth and the gardens have been awash with colour, from the very vibrant colours ‘Bastogne’ and ‘Violet Beauty’ to the subtle shades of ‘World Friendship’ and ‘Spring Green, to the unusual pink, green and cream of ‘Green wave’.

We are now entering the spring period when Alliums appear with their shades of blue, lavender and purple. Allium Schubertii is always a favourite with its dramatic flower head resembling a firework going off.

Peony ‘Yellow Crown’ has provided a stunning display of large yellow petaled flowers and another favourite plant in the form of Peony ‘Bowl of Beauty’ soon be on display with its large pink and white petals.

The dry weather has meant we busy watering, both indoors and outside on the vegetable and flower beds. It is easy to over water during long spells of dry weather which can create problems in the form of Root Rot/ Damping off and powdery mildew.

 It is important to water when necessary and not flood the plants, especially seedlings, don’t over sow seed and create crowding which affects airflow between the plants and provide plenty of ventilation for indoor grown seeds to reduce the spread of diseases. Also, make sure the growing area is clean and sterilised, consider using Jeyes fluid to clean plant pots and work surface, again to reduce the risk of disease.

If you'd like to join our friendly team as a Garden Volunteer, find out more and apply here: https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/support-us/volunteer-opportunities/garden-assistant