Clematis
Now is a good time to prune spring-flowering clematis, such as the macropetala and montanas. If theyre left for a long time without pruning, they can get a bit untidy or straggle from their place. As soon as theyve finished flowering, a hard prune will allow the new growth to develop this you can train to a support, ready for next years blossoms. If space is limited, try pruning every year; if its not, leave it for a few years for the plant to grow into its natural form. A mulch of leaf mould or compost over the roots will keep them cool and moist.
Seed-raised perennials
Now that most of the annual and vegetable seed-sowing is over, you could continue to use your propagator to raise your own perennials from seed, to flower next year. Although plants such as delphinium, lupin, echinacea or scabious all need a little bit more work than annuals, theyre more economical to grow yourself than to buy. Sow in the same way as annuals and prick out into cell trays. Pot on into 8cm pots until theyre big enough to plant out later in the year.
Strawberries
Weed your strawberry beds now, before mulching them to protect the flowers and fruit from damaging contact with wet soil. We still prefer to use the traditional barley straw for protection; lift the foliage and flowers and spread a thick layer of straw underneath this will hold the strawberries off the ground. If you cant get barley straw or only have a few plants, use strawberry mats around the plants. These you can get from plant centres.
Kale
Although its not the most popular of vegetables, kale has a place in the kitchen garden. Its rich in iron and vitamins, and is less susceptible to clubroot and cabbage root fly than its cousins. The picking time is from November to April, when theres little else available. Varieties include curly or smooth leaves and cut and cut again, but all are sown now like the other brassicas. Taller varieties should be planted deep, to anchor them against wind damage. The purple-leaved Redbor wouldnt look amiss in the flower garden.
Slug and snail control
Weve tried every conceivable barrier against snails, but with absolute failure. Weve now been asked to try the Advanced Slug Killer (by Growing Success), which is suitable for organic gar-dens and farms (EEC Directive 2092/91). The active ingredient is ferric phosphate (MAPP 11888), which suppresses the digestive system of slugs and snails to stop them eating; its mixed with a cereal-based bait to make it palatable. As our kitchen-garden plots are ringed by dwarf box hedges that the snails treat as hotels, it sounds like a dream come true. Its organic, too, so its certainly worth a try. Early trials on our seed-
ling delphiniums are more than satisfactory. If its used as directed, its reported to be harmless to all other animals and birds.
Philip Maddison is head gardener at Harrington Hall, Lincolnshire (www.harringtonhallgardens.co.uk)
