Posted: Tuesday 3 April 2012
by Pippa Greenwood
At this time of year, I am buzzing with excitement, watching buds that are bursting at the seams, full of energy and potential.
At this time of year, I am buzzing with excitement, watching buds that are bursting at the seams, full of energy and potential. Recently I was out in my garden with Sarah, a Gardeners’ World Magazine photographer. I was glad that we’d been asked to take photographs of buds, as well as pest- and disease-ridden plants.
It’s worth sparing a few moments to ‘bud watch’, monitoring their growth and enjoying their beauty. While you’re at it, grab a carrier bag and a really sharp pair of secateurs, and make sure that you also look out for the remains of overwintering pests and diseases.
The winter was mild overall, and as a result, some plants that are normally regarded as deciduous still bear a good few leaves. Many of these are plastered with disease. For instance, roses harbour blackspot lesions on last year’s leaves, and may also overwinter blackspot, in tiny purple-black spots on the stems. I won’t be surprised if the roses succumb badly this year.
There may also be stems infected with grey mould (Botrytis) or canker. These, together with infected or infested leaves, need to go into the carrier bag, for immediate disposal.
You’re also likely to find some small infestations of greenfly or blackfly, tucked away on soft foliage, which can rapidly spread. In fact, you may well need several carrier bags, and some disposable gloves, to make aphid-squishing less unpleasant.
