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GARDENING
       Dobbies unveils








                        what to do in your garden just now                                                                             Lawncare and maintenance
                                                                                                                                       When it comes to lawncare,
                                                                                                                                       Nigel recommends mowing the
        As gardens begin to burst into life, Dobbies Garden Centres has unveiled what
                                                                                                                                       lawn weekly if you can and using
       you can do now to prepare your outdoor space for a successful summer season.                                                    clippings  in  compost  bins.  Bare
                                                                                                                                       patches can be reseeded now, and
                                                                                                                                       new lawns can be sown. “Feed your
                 rom summer plants to lawncare and maintenance tips, here’s what Dobbies’                                              lawn with a high-nitrogen summer
                 Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton says you can be doing in your gardens during the
            F month of May.                                                                                                            fertiliser for a strong, healthy green
                                                                                                                                       finish,”  Nigel  advises.  Gardeners
                                                                                                                                       should  also  take  the  opportunity
         May planting                                                                                                                  to remove fading spring bedding
         Nigel says that now is the ideal time to   and  Sunflowers  before  the  end  of  the                                         plants, hoe emerging weeds,
         plant  summer  bedding  favourites  such  as   month,  alongside  fragrant  additions  like                                   and apply a thick mulch to retain
         Busy Lizzies, Begonias and Petunias in patio   Wallflowers and Pansies. For flower beds,                                      moisture and deter regrowth.
         containers,  hanging  baskets  and  borders.   Roses, Peonies and Gladiolus are key
         Nigel highlights Geraniums as Dobbies’   planting choices that promise colour and
         “Bedding Plant of the Month,” praising them   perfume throughout the summer.       Grow your own
         for their low maintenance and bold, long-                                          May is a busy month for grow-your-
         lasting colour: “Geraniums are a fantastic   Nigel says: “Hydrangeas planted in May   own enthusiasts and Nigel notes
         choice for summer displays – they’re   will reward you with delicate, full blooms   that there’s no better time to enjoy
         hardy, thrive in sun, and complement other   by early summer. As the weather warms   your own fresh produce than spring
         favourites like Lavender beautifully.”  up, it’s a good time to start introducing   and summer, with a wide variety of
                                             Cannas and Dahlias outdoors—just keep          tasty seasonal fruit and vegetables
         Gardeners are encouraged to sow     a close eye on the weather and water           that are ready to harvest now. Main
         vibrant  flowers  like  Zinnias,  Cornflowers   them well.”                        crop carrots, beetroot, spring onions,
                                                                                            courgettes, pumpkins and sweetcorn
                                                                                            can all be sown now, and strawberries
                                                                                            can be planted outdoors or in hanging
                                                                                            baskets as the weather warms up.
                                                                                            Nigel comments: “With regular
                                                                                            sowing of quick crops like salads and
                                                                                            spinach, you’ll enjoy a rolling harvest
                                                                                            throughout the summer. Herbs like
                                                                                            parsley and coriander are perfect
                                                                                            for smaller spaces—just a few pots on
                                                                                            a  windowsill  can  yield  fresh  flavour
                                                                                            for weeks.”

                                                                                                             For more gardening tips and advice, visit dobbies.com.

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