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GARDEN GROW? How does your E aster weekend is a big date in the world of horticulture. Longer hours of daylight and typically warmer temperatures have us out there planting and gardening. I’m game! Almost anything can be sown now, Anna Taylor, owner of Anna’s Flower Farm in Audley End, shares what’s going on in the garden this month
inside and out. Notice outside when seedlings are naturally germinating in the soil – that is your cue to start sowing seeds yourself; hardy annuals, such as cornflowers, snapdragons and calendula can be directly sown into the soil outside. Inside, I am only now sowing tender plants, also known as half-hardy annuals. They can only be planted outside once the threat of frost has passed (which is about six weeks from now in our area). Since these plants take time to grow from seed to being planted in mid/late May, it’s the perfect timing. This year, I’m growing multi- stemmed sunflowers, cosmos and zinnias. Don’t just stick to flowers though; there is plenty of fruit and vegetables to grow now too. Growing a wide variety of plants from seed is one of the keys to excellent soil health. We grow more fruit and vegetables every year here, mostly for meals on the farm for classes and workshops. However, I’ve also used the decorative blue flowers of peas, herbs and tendrils of beans in arrangements – just like Constance Spry did many years ago. Much more than feeding us and my own creativity, these plants also contribute to a healthier soil and better plant health all over.
© ANNA TAYLOR
As all plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide – actively removing it from the atmosphere – converting it into carbohydrates for food for themselves while also sending a huge amount out into the soil for the microbes and fungi to consume. In return, these fungi networks respond to plants’ needs by exchanging water, minerals and nutrients. This symbiotic relationship is essential to both healthy soil and plants; one does not exist without the other, serving as a pure example of community. The more variety in the garden, allotment and farm, the more variety of microbes and fungi feeding those plants and protecting them from disease and pests. I find this both equally fascinating and cheering. This is going on beneath our feet, without any input. All we need to do is make sure we don’t kill the microbes in the soil. That invovles not using any chemicals (including organic slug pellets), keeping the soil covered with plants (even weeds will take in carbon and keep the soil alive) and occasionally add some homemade compost to stimulate microbial activity. So, in your own gardens, sprinkle seeds among your shrubs and perennials to create colour this summer and food for your plate. We are growing kale among sweet peas,
calendula and sunflowers around tomatoes and radishes between the cosmos. The plots are already buzzing with insects, scents and productivity despite it being only the very beginning of the growing season. I am cutting branches of blossoms, narcissi, tulips, ranunculus, anemones with artichoke leaves, sweet rocket, rosemary and euphorbia. Take care to sit euphorbia and narcissus in separate vases to allow their sap to run into the water for a few hours before arranging with other flowers when the stem seals. Harvests in April are reliant on long- term preparation: sweet rocket, honesty and sweet williams sown last June; rancunulus and anemones sprouted in September; narcissus and tulips planted in the autumn. It’s a lot to remember, but worth the effort so make a note in your diary this year for vases of spring next April. Anna Taylor grows cut flowers for buckets, events and weddings on Anna’s Flower Farm, Audley End, Saffron Walden. You will find her teaching or designing gardens and planting schemes from the studio in the centre of the plots. You can follow more of her writing on her Substack, Floral Notes
SOW YOUR SEEDS With Easter on the horizon, gardeners are gearing up for a season of growth
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