Located in the Shed on the Allotments Behind Avenue Road, Caterham Hill

Caterham and District Horticultural Society – April 2017

www.caterhamdistricthorticulturalsoc.weebly.com www.facebook.com/cat.hortisoc

Located in the shed on the allotments behind Avenue Road, Caterham Hill Open Saturday mornings 9.30 – 12.00

One of the best months of the year to sow flower and vegetable seeds. However, if you are tempted top plant out seedlings and bedding plants during a mild spell, always have a roll of horticultural fleece ready to protect your plants during a cold period. Do control weeds, aphids, caterpillars, slugs and snails right through the growing season. Here are some useful hints: Flowers and shrubs Last chance to order flower plants. Hardy annual in-situ and half-hardy seeds under glass. Start off hanging baskets indoors. Plant out Autumn sown sweet pea seedlings directly into their flowering position. Leave snowdrops, crocuses, muscari and scilla in the ground for naturalising. Lillies in pots can be used for filling gaps. Feed beds and borders with good general fertilizers and shrub, climber, perennials and bulbs will all benefit. Clematis loves potash. Secure climbing and rambling roses and feed with rose fertilizer. A specialist feed for rhododendron, azalea, camelia and pieris (acid lovers). Feed citrus plants. Divide bamboo & water lilies. Prune one third of all spring flowering deciduous shrubs. Fruit Protect blossoms from late frosts. Sulphate of potash encourages flowering and fruiting in fruit trees, bushes and canes. A liberal tomato feed is ideal for fruits or shrubs in containers. A liquid seaweed extract later on is ideal. Prune fig trees. Vegetables (outdoors and indoors) Plant onion sets, garlic and shallots. Chit and plant out second early potatoes in the first half of the month, maincrop in the second half. Heap soil over potato shoots to prevent frost damage. (Indoors) seeds under glass Marrows, courgettes, pumpkin squash, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, augergines, celery, celeriac, salads, globe artichoke. (Outdoors) in situ Beetroot, carrot, swiss chard, summer cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuces, leeks, radishes, turnips, spring and pickling onions, peas and perpetual spinach. A seedbed of brassicas for planting out in June/ July.

Spring Show Saturday 22nd April Hillcroft School, Chaldon Road Open to the public at 2.30, teas and coffee, raffle

Plant sale at the hut - Saturday 6th May 9.30 – 12.00