Gardening: Time to take stock

Peter Dowdall has advice on how to plan ahead for the seasons to come

As we venture out now into the gardens and there is a very definite sense of spring in the air, the landscape changes day by day. The winter-flowering cherries, magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons are still giving of their best, with some of the earlier-flowering forms coming to an end for 2020 already. Pieris are announcing their awakening with vivid, bright red new growth along with lily of the valley type flowers which will stay on the plants for the next month or so.

Our thoughts will turn to summer and the months ahead as that is how, we as gardeners are programmed, we are always thinking of the next season. What new projects will we take on in the garden this year: perhaps we will try the very worthwhile and rewarding pursuit of growing some of our own food, maybe a few new beds to be cut out from the lawn or perhaps a complete overhaul of the garden is on the cards for you this year.