Things are heating up in the garden. Gillian Vine looks at what needs to be tackled this month.
After such a brutal winter, it was a bit of a surprise to learn that international scientists were predicting
2015 would be the hottest on record.
Despite that, a closer look at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projections showed eastern New Zealand was in fact likely to be slightly cooler than average, so I don't think we'll be growing oranges outdoors in the near future.
Still, things are warming up and after mourning the loss of tender plants that succumbed to the cold and wet, it is time to be a bit more cheerful and plan for the new season.
Pruning spring-flowering shrubs such as rhododendrons, forsythia, lilac and camellias when flowering is over and getting the lawnmower serviced are tasks that encourage gardeners to look forward, but sowing and planting are the main tasks for the next month or so.
Many shrubs are moved during winter when they are dormant, so it seems a bit odd to be moving rhododendrons and camellias but now is the time to do it, even if they are still flowering.
Prune them before shifting and ensure
the holes are wide but not too deep.
This allows for the roots to be spread out and a fairly shallow hole means the plants are not trying to get to fertiliser that has been sprinkled too far down for them to reach easily.
Choose a time when the weather forecast is for rain over the following couple of days and these shrubs should move successfully, especially if the soil is kept moist over the coming months.
Most of the gardener's time at this time of year, though, tends to be spent in the vegetable garden, as there is a feeling of urgency about getting the ground ready, sowing early carrots, spinach, peas, beetroot, white turnips and salad vegetables, and - with an eye on new potatoes for Christmas - popping in the first spuds.
At the same time, the long growing season for cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, parsnips and leeks means seed should be sown by late October and planted out by Christmas, so these southern standards can be harvested next winter.
Celery can go in now, too, for planting out in December.
Seed can be very slow to germinate, so don't panic when seedlings don't appear as quickly as the likes of cabbage.
With winter retreating slowly, it's a fair bet that most areas have not seen the last frosts, so it pays to start corn, pumpkins, courgettes, runner and butter beans in seed trays kept under cover.
Garden centres have well-grown tomato plants on sale, including grafted varieties, which can be put into unheated glasshouses now, although in areas prone to late frosts it may pay to wait another couple of weeks.
Outdoor tomatoes need to be protected from the elements; growing them in pots that can be positioned in the warmest possible spot and covering them at night is a time-honoured way of getting the best from them.
Smaller varieties like F1 hybrid Patio, Gold Nugget, Yellow Pear, Red Pear, Sweet 100, Sweet Million or the tiny grape type Jolly Elf are recommended for container growing, while Tumbling Tom is the best for a hanging basket.
Don't neglect the flower garden.
To hide the rather tatty look many bulbs have after blooming, sprinkle seed of easy annuals like love in a mist (Nigella) and purple tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia) around daffodils and hyacinths, and screen tulips with clarkia, godetia or larkspur.
Close planting not only looks good, it helps reduce weeding, a technique that can be applied throughout the flower garden.
Potted bulbs should be moved after flowering to a cool, slightly shady area until the foliage has died naturally, then repotted or transplanted into the garden.
In trays, sow seed of bedding cinerarias, cosmos, petunias, begonias, Livingstone daisies, French marigolds and other tender or half-hardy flowers.
Keep them protected, for although global warming may be a reality, it pays to take no chances.
