Hardy Amaryllis bulbs appear

Stems suddenly appear as they push through the soil and quickly reach their mature height, with flowers being produced. The whole process and take less than a week.

Foliage appears after the flowers. 

Bulbs can be grown successfully in pots or containers, as well as the general garden in rockeries and borders. They grow well in positions of full sun, as well as areas of semi-shade with morning sun. Soil should be well-drained and fertile. The bulbs should be planted at a depth that will allow the top to be just above the surface of the soil.

Bulbs can be fertilised when the strap-like leaves finally appear. The leaves should be left until they have fully died down as it is during this period that they feed. Flowers make good cut specimens.

Spider lilies, Lycoris, produce exotic flowers with ruffled petals in colours of yellow or red. They feature long stamens and are produced on thick stems 40-60cm tall. Lycoris originate from China and Japan, with flowers resembling Nerines.

Lycoris aurea produces beautiful ­golden flowers, while lycoris radiata have flowers in a pink/red colouring.

The other members of the Amaryllis family that appear now are the Belladonnas, also known as Naked Ladies because of the appearance of the flowers before the leaves. Theses flowers originate from South Africa.

Flowers are produced from large bulbs with a strong stem up to 75cm tall. Clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers are produced, mostly in shades of pink, although white varieties are also available. 

Bulbs are tolerant of being left in the garden without attention. They are often seen flowering abandoned gardens. They prefer a sunny position, with the necks of the bulbs being exposed above the level of the soil. They flower more prolifically when they have been left undisturbed for several years, forming clumps.

However, overcrowded clumps may be divided in later spring or summer. The bulbs will often not produce flowers in the season following division. 

Once summer vegetable crops have completed their cycle and are no longer producing adequate amounts, the plants should be cleared from the beds. If the plant material is not diseased it can be composted. Long stems should be chopped into smaller pieces to hasten the decomposition process.

Appropriate soil preparation is necessary if good cropping is to be the end result. 

Prepared compost should be added to the soil to replace the nutrients that have been used by the summer crops. A dressing of blood and bone will be beneficial, as well as some well-rotted animal manure. 

Ideally, the soil should then be left to settle for several weeks. At planting time the soil should be of a crumbly consistency, without large pieces of compacted soil.

Broad beans and peas that have been planted into a vegetable garden provide a double benefit. \In addition to providing nutritious food sources, the plants also add nitrogen to the soil, enriching it for subsequent crops.

In areas where frosts are not prevalent, peas can be sown and will soon produce flowers and, subsequently, tasty pods. In areas where winter temperatures are much lower, broad beans are a better choice as these plants can withstand much colder conditions. However, broad beans are also most suitable for growing in areas with a warmer climate.

As peas and broad beans are both vigorous growers, they need to be ­provided with the right growing conditions for strong growth. 

A sunny position is desirable, with well-draining soil. Some dolomite that has been added to the soil will assist in overcoming any acidic excesses in the soil.

Adding general animal fertilisers, except poultry manure, to the soil will be most beneficial as they contain plenty of organic material. Poultry manure is high in nitrogen, which plants in this family produce themselves. 

Once the manure has been spread, some sulphate of potash can also be added by sprinkling it on the soil. Then this mixture should be dug in as deeply as possible.

After leaving the soil to settle for a few days the seeds can be planted  by placing them into a 10cm wide furrow that is about 3cm deep. 

Peas should be planted about 2cm apart, while 10cm should be allowed between broad bean seeds. The seeds can then be covered with the soil removed to make the furrow. 

Minimal watering is essential, with an initial application and then applying more only when the first two leaves appear. Over-watering may result in poor germination.

Providing the weather remains warmer, peas will produce their first flowers in about six weeks, while broad beans will not begin to crop until mid-spring.

geoffh.gardening@gmail.com; Maitland and District Garden Club