.
For instance, 30 minutes of digging will burn 250 calories or 30 minutes of
weeding 105 calories. Gardening can also help to ease the symptoms of SAD
(Seasonally Affective Disorder) a form of depression caused by low levels of
natural sunlight.
Strong winds can be a regular feature during March, Check all tree
stakes and ties and make any necessary repairs as quickly as possible. Remember,
a stake snapped off in the ground will do more harm than no stake at all. The
remaining stump may rub against the tree, damaging the bark.
Roses: Watch out for some exciting new rose varieties available. Rose of
the Year 2000 is Lucky, a wonderful new floribunda with true disease resistance.
It produces large trusses of fragrant lilac-pink flowers adorned on glossy green
foliage.
If you are buying containerised roses make sure they are well rooted before
taking out of the pot. If the rose is taken out before it has formed a root ball
in the pot, there is a risk that the soil will drop away and damage the little
white roots thus setting back the growth of the plant.
Many roses are coming into leaf so now is the time to apply that all
important first protection against the dreaded blackspot. Systhane, sprayed
every three weeks, should keep the disease at bay throughout the growing season.