How does yours grow?

Flowers multiply in the garden through March as days move forward to mid spring and the beds fill with new shoots and leaves. A pale yellow primrose, probably Primula vulgaris, opened in a shady bed in our garden weeks ago and has formed a mass of flowers almost covering the foliage.

It is the earliest of our primroses and the most reliable, appearing without fail each year, often blooming with the snowdrops in early February. It looks good grown alone or with early spring bulbs but I like it best with the spotted foliage and pink and blue flowers of Pulmonaria officinalis.

Following our pale primrose are the Wanda primulas, very attractive plants with very dark, often evergreen, crinkled leaves and rich flowers in shades of purple, pink and red as well as white and yellow. The purple ones seem to be the hardiest here and the first to open but I have spotted one or two more specimens slowly coming to life over the past week that look as if they will be pink.

Primulas can be kept from year to year either in the garden or lifted and divided after flowering and potted up. They should be replanted in autumn but can be kept in cool shade over winter and put out in early spring or used to fill window boxes and pots. They are easy to grow and propagate - large clumps simply pull apart into separate little plants that come complete with their own root system and will quickly begin to grow once potted up or transplanted. Humus rich, well drained soil and light shade are ideal for the Wanda primulas and Primula vulgaris.

Vine weevil grubs are the biggest enemy of the primula family, especially when they are grown in pots. The brown-headed white grubs hatch in the soil and eat the roots of the plant with the resulting damage not usually spotted until it is far too late. Vine weevils can be dealt with by using an appropriate insecticide like Bio Provado but take care not to use it on edible crops, or by using a nematode. There is a new nematode treatment on the market that remains active at temperatures down to 5C, which means it can be applied outdoors from March to November. It is available by mail order from Green Gardener 01603 715096 and The Organic Gardening Catalogue 01932 253666.

Weekend catch-up

February-sown sweet peas germinated indoors or in a heated greenhouse can be transferred to a cold frame to slowly harden off.

Pinch out the growing tip once they have two pairs of true leaves - this will encourage them to bush out.

Other hardy annuals like nasturtium and nigella can be started off in the cold frame if there is room. Sow them in pots or trays and pot on when they are large enough to handle.

Half-hardy annuals can fill the space left by the removal of the sweet peas. Seedlings of pelargoniums and busy lizzie for example are available at garden centres and are good value if there is room to keep them warm and grow them on. They can be hardened off in May then planted out.

Updated: 16:41 Friday, March 07, 2003