New plants to be released soon onto the market by Sahin Plants are tiny violas, Viola cornuta, which have a very delicate perfume and look far too fragile to be grown outside but they are exceedingly robust and coped well in my garden through all those recent storms. There is also a variegated leaf antirrhinum with a pretty pink flower, which will 'come' from cuttings.  Most antirrhinums are annuals but some here manage to grow for longer than one season.  Pink might not be your colour choice but they do seem to be robust.

There is still a lot of pruning still be done this month especially if you didn't get out last month due to the heavy rains.  Shorten stems on prunus trees and whilst citrus trees may still be full of fruits, start on the branches that have been cropped and go back to the others later on.  Take out any dead or diseased branches and stems that cross in the centre of the tree. Pomegranates don't need much attention. This month you should feed fruit and nut trees again using 20.0.0 fertiliser. If the leaves on your citrus are showing signs of zinc or iron shortages then you may like to try Nitrophoska super which is 20.5.10 fertiliser with some iron and zinc added which should help things along. Dosages are 900 grams for mature trees and 300 gms for young trees, spread around the area between the trunk and the tree canopy where it will be picked up by the fibrous roots that feed the trees.

Many perennial plants benefit from being divided up now. Take off any old stems and divide the plant into smaller portions and replant these. Usually the centre is old and can be discarded. Tulbaghias tend to create huge clumps and will really benefit from being divided up regularly. Achillea is another plant that should have the same treatment. As the weather warms up you may be able to take cuttings but make sure that the soil isn't cold and wet, as plants will not make new roots if they are cold. Cosset the plants a bit for good results and always feed them after major surgery!