Changing weather patterns have had implications for planting and growing seasons. In most of the UK, the growing season is now longer than it was years ago, and flowering takes place earlier.
This highlights the need to rethink planting schedules to ensure you get the most out of your commercial garden, horticultural business, or farm. In this article we offer some useful tips to help you get started planning your summer produce.
When Is Planting Season In 2022?
Determining the best time to start planting is crucial. Planting too early can result in stunted growth and general plant weakness due to volatile weather conditions in the late winter and early spring, but planting too late can be equally disastrous.
The key is to ensure that the soil has the right temperature, texture, and moisture levels. Usually, the rule of thumb is to start planting 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Seeds and bulbs can be planted when the soil temperature is at least 18 degrees C.
Hardy plants and flowers can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked (i.e. not frozen and not muddy), but tender flowers should only be planted once you’re certain there’s no frost risk for the rest of the season.
The same rules apply to vegetables. It’s best to stagger planting so that the most heat-loving veggies are planted last, well past the last frost date in order to ensure a plentiful harvest.
Start Early
If you want to enjoy a prosperous harvest come summer and autumn, start preparing your garden well in advance. Ideally, you want to start the previous autumn. You can do this by:- Making leaf compost that will provide plant nutrition after a few months.
- Removing annuals and replacing them with cover crops.
- Adding a thick layer of mulch to the area you intend to plant in the spring.
Get a Garden Water Bowser
You should also plan your garden’s water supply. Rainfall levels have been unpredictable over the past few years, and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has warned gardeners of possible water shortages in the future.
Under these circumstances, you may want to invest in a plant watering bowser or garden water bowser for your business. With these mobile tanks, you can guarantee a supply of water for your garden irrespective of weather conditions, without having to invest in an expensive, mains-sourced irrigation system. Garden bowsers are specifically designed for plant watering and are ideal for flower beds, hanging baskets, and general garden maintenance.
Next Steps
As a leading provider of planting water bowsers, we recommend you have a look at our range of bowsers and have yours ready by summer. Please call our technical sales team today to find out more.
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