Weekend Work: Time to sow broad beans
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What to do
Where the soil is reasonably warm and friable sow broad beans, early peas and push in a row of onion sets. Net to keep birds away.
To cheat winter cold, cover a patch of soil with polythene sheeting which will warm and dry it ready for early sowings of carrot, radish and beetroot.
Prune late-flowering shrubs such as buddleia. It's a bully of a shrub and should be cut back hard, leaving only a stub of last year's growth.
Fuchsia, tamarisk, Spanish broom and blue-flowered caryopteris can also be pruned now, if you did not do it last month.
Increase stocks of delphiniums by taking cuttings 10-15cm long from new shoots on the crown of the plant. Stand the cuttings in a jar of water until roots start to form, then pot them up carefully.
Sweet peas can be sown direct outside to follow on from those sown earlier in pots in a cold frame. Protect the seedlings from slugs.
Repot any houseplants that look as though they need it; but remember that too much spare, wet compost leads to rot.
What to buy
Have you got all the kit you need to get sowing? Compost – (B&Q's own came top in a recent survey); pots (wash and re-use old ones rather than buying new); riddle (The Worm that Turned has one, 20cm across, for £10.95, 0844 573 8644 or worm.co.uk).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments