Craven College horticultural lecturer Michael Myers provides his April gardening journal

IT is always a bit of a rush trying to get work completed in Craven College’s horticulture unit before the Easter break.

As I write snow has been falling on the hills but when college starts again many plants will be waking from their winter slumber and some pruning and planting opportunities will have been lost until next year.

Fortunately a determined effort by students saw all the main tasks completed and we can hopefully look forward to more colourful and productive gardens this year. At home too, the holidays are all too brief from a gardener’s perspective. Every year the list of jobs seems greater but the important thing is to prioritise and do those tasks that cannot be put off until later.

My main Easter tasks were to finish pruning dogwoods roses and fruit trees, a little late perhaps but better late than never. My rose beds are inter-planted with perennials and now is a good time to split many types, to reinvigorate the clumps and increase your stock.

One of the rose beds, however, has the dreaded ground elder well established within it and so last year I took out many of the herbaceous plants and dug over the bed removing as many ground elder roots as possible. This spring I will treat any emerging ground elder leaves with glyphosate, a systemic weedkiller, which in time should clear the bed of this most pernicious of weeds.

At college, we have a similar problem with creeping thistle but the same tactic seems to be working. Organic gardeners will need to be more patient and persistent in tackling invasive, perennial weeds and may need to cover the soil surface to prevent weed growth; old carpet is often a popular choice. Whatever your choice of method, it is always worth taking the time to get beds as weed-free as possible before planting.

Over the past few weeks, I have exhibited at some of the alpine shows and it never ceases to amaze me how skilful many of the growers are. Perfect cushions of dionysias, saxifrages and primulas studded with flowers so densely packed that you cannot see the foliage.

Fortunately the Alpine Garden Society has novice, intermediate and open sections which allows growers to develop their skills (and plants) over several years so that newcomers do not have to compete with the experts. The Harrogate Spring Flower Show used to host an alpine show until a few years ago but sadly no more. There will however be over a dozen national plant societies at the annual extravaganza which runs from April 21 to 24.

Whether your interests are cacti and succulents, delphiniums, daffodils or giant veg there will be something of interest.

The National Auricula and Primula Society also attends and whilst not staging a competitive show will display an exhibit by members which generally includes an auricula theatre. Auriculas gained popularity from the middle of the 16th century as florist flowers. The term florist actually refers to plants that are cultivated to set standards rather than cut floral displays. Auriculas are often seen displayed on shelves or theatres but there is no reason why this feature could not be used for temporary displays of other pot-grown plants too.

Even today the rules governing these diminutive beauties are strictly adhered to. For non-enthusiasts the degree of dedication to auriculas and other plants must seem eccentric but for those involved it is no different to any other hobby. I must admit to being somewhat bemused by giant vegetables but to enthusiasts it is a serious matter.

In the college garden the first vegetable seeds are now sown and will hopefully make an appearance over the holidays. Several salad crops and radishes were planted but unfortunately lack of time meant the cloches were not used. Sweet peas were also planted out after a winter in the tunnel. Slug pellets are an essential at this time of year to prevent damage but there are several organic products for those who prefer a safer option.

Throughout the spring, it is amazing how many of our native species can be seen in gardens. I recall Geoffrey Smith once extolling the virtues of the humble primrose, which despite the many ‘improvements’ made over the years has a beauty and charm that no plant breeder can truly improve upon.

As spring progresses bluebells too will be carpeting the woodlands in a spectacular display seen nowhere else. The snakeshead fritillary is a much scarcer plant but is a good choice for naturalising in grassland especially in damper spots and after their appearance on Countryfile our native wild daffodils are likely to be a popular choice in similar situations.

The number of gardens open for the National Gardens Scheme is increasing now and so it is worth taking a look on their website for local openings. I imagine many of the owners opening their gardens will be desperately trying to get them looking spick and span after the wet winter. Cutting and edging the lawn is always one of the first things to do to make a garden look more presentable but if the lawn is still very wet, care should be taken to not cause damage to the grass. It is always best to follow the weather conditions rather than the advice in a book.