March 15th to April 16th

Both field planting and container unit potting were completed by Easter and now we are into the cultural work of spring  / summer. Our container trees are on two irrigation cycles per day and we are putting and inch and a half of water on our newly planted field trees by water cannon this weekend.

Preparations continue for the Grand Designs show at Excel and the Chelsea Flower Show at the end of May where we will will be in the floral pavillion in conjunction with Peter Beales Roses as well as having our own booth where we are selling our new pubication 'It's time for trees'. We will also have a presence at Thomas Hoblyn's show garden which is shaping up to be a real stunner.

On the nursery, our flowering cherries are in full swing and the crab apples are budding up so are not long behind. Magnolia loebneri Leonard Messell was the first to flower in this genera and the other types are now in full bud and flower so the unit is looking superb! The Sorbus aria Lutescens and Magnifica are emerging a brilliant silver and we are thinking of taking these varieties to Chelsea.

For those of you who have bought trees from us last autumn I would like to give you a gentle reminder to water them well from now onwards until the longest day. This is the period when tree roots are most active and watering now will strongly enhance establishment and vigour.

Hope you all enjoy the coming season.

All the best

Mike