Fuchsias are ideal stock plants because they are easily bulked up for containers and mixed planting. I rank them alongside the pelargonium for versatility and gardener-friendliness. They have pleasing foliage and a diversity of attractive flowers, and I have long since given up trying to memorise their individual names. In fact, that is their one big drawback: there are so many new varieties appearing, each with a new distinction or subtlety, that it is impossible to keep track. The biggest advantage of course is the ease of propagation, with cuttings striking with almost embarrassing ease. Generally I use fuchsias as either stand alone specimen container plants or for inclusion in mixed containers alongside summer bedding, which makes them easy to overwinter in their pots in a frost free environment. In March they are transferred to the greenhouse and produce innumerable shoots which make excellent cuttings. These shoots can then be inserted in compost or, more simply, placed in water on an indoor windowsill, which is the method I prefer.....roots are quickly formed and the vigorous young plants can then be potted up. The parent plants are then either discarded or placed to one side ready for use later in the season. I have found that very occasionally an overwintered plant will die off and although this is relatively uncommon it is wise to take autumn cuttings of any particular favourites. Autumn cuttings take easily but of course have to be cared for during the winter.

Containers can almost be treated like miniature gardens, with plant numbers obviously scaled down, and at this time of year, whilst pricking the plants out in the greenhouse, I try and picture different combinations. Needless to say the best results usually occur by accident! Fuchsias and spider plants generally complement each other, and it pays to experiment because for the most part it is unlucky to find a combination that really fails completely. Last year the golden yellow blooms of anthemis arabica 'criss cross' drew particular comment, as did Laurentia 'stargazer'. The latter is also known as isotoma axillaris as well as something else which eludes me at present.

The cold frame has just been pressed into service for the first time this year to house the Kelsae onions prior to planting out. Before long it will be once again fulfilling it's purpose as a staging post for plants making the transition from greenhouse to the great outdoors but I must remember to put down slug pellets because there is an infestation of biblical proportions. Slugs and snails tend to congregate in damp, cool areas such as under stones and pots, and in this case around the cold frame.

This month I had hoped to give details of the redevelopment of the garden. Unfortunately the project is progressing slower than I hoped, mainly due to unforeseen circumstances, like finding rock-like concrete in an area that has to be excavated by hand! Last year the swimming pool started to lose water at the rate of about two inches per day thanks to the circulating pipes springing a leak underground, and the only solution was found to be replacing the pipes, which is what I have been up to for about four weeks. Whilst unwelcome this has presented me with the opportunity to enhance the layout of the pool enclosure. First to go was the hut, which when re-erected in the orchard with a few modifications will make a perfect, very large, cold frame. Once the tool shed had been relocated to the other side of the garden a sledge hammer was required for the demolition of a four foot wall, along with it's two inch deep foundation!

With the aid of an electric jackhammer and pneumatic drill I dug a trench for the four pipes servicing the pool and suffice it to say that the pipes are now in situ and various fittings installed in the side of pool. The good part is that I can now progress with the more creative part of the process, ie enlarging the pool enclosure and including a pergola, as well constructing a roofed section and changing room. After that a fence will go in, but more of that when it is completed.

Working outdoors is pleasant now because of the mild conditions. We have had little rain and herbaceous plants are coming up everywhere. Stitchwort is in flower far earlier than usual, along with countless other wild species, and many foliage plants are well past the stage that one hard frost will destroy the new growth. Given that frosts are possible, if not probable, for up to six weeks, the net result is likely to be some damaged or sickly plants in late April. Another drawback of the mild conditions is the appearance of whitefly in the greenhouse and an increase of greenfly. Ventilation helps a lot, as well as improving the condition of the plants.

The daffodils bloomed early and are lasting well, providing colour along with innumerable primulas, crocuses, forget-me-nots sown in the summer, a blazing quince, hellebores, candytuft, nemophila, and many others too numerous to mention. There are plants flowering outdoors that I am only now sowing in the greenhouse!

It is encouraging to see the garden in full swing and tempting to get into wholesale planting. Sadly it is far too risky to put out tender specimens, but do not despair because hardier species are thriving and there will be masses to see throughout April. After that, well it is summer once more!

You can find more articles in the archive under Soiled Hands.

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