Time to get in the garden

The Editor -

Spring is most certainly in the air and the frequent sunny and pleasant days provide the opportunity for an increasing number of gardening tasks.

Now is the ideal time to get busy preparing seed beds, cutting back those shrubs that have been beaten by the heavy winds and rain during the winter storms and generally tidying up the garden.

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity which aims to enrich everyone's life through plants and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

Here are 5 key jobs they recommend to do this month:

  1. Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)
  2. Plant summer-flowering bulbs
  3. Prune bush and climbing roses
  4. Protect new spring shoots from slugs
  5. Top dress containers with fresh compost

Should you wish to learn more, please do visit their website: rhs.org.uk

There is clearly lots to be done outside, and a busy season for many gardeners.

It may come as a surprise however gardening offers many other benefits too ranging from "home grown self-esteem" to a healthy heart.

As Audrey Hepburn quoted "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" - get planting and keep the faith.