The third week of September after returning from the National Show at Harrogate is the start of my season. During September and October I gather seed heads to dry and feed all the beds with potash. I mark my “first choice” plants that I want to use for propagation and cut down the plants half way as there are no more flowers to encourage. I then discard cultivars that are not good enough. If you do this while still seeing the blooms you won’t make the mistake of “I’ll try one more year” in January while sitting by the fire and looking back through rose tinted glasses. Remember that for every poor plant you grow there’s less room for the good ones.
In late October, early November finish cutting down the plants and lift the tubers and secure the labels. Turn the tubers upside down
to drain stems and help dry. Dress with sulphur and store.
Throughout November, December and January I prepare the beds and turn over the ground with a spade. Also keep checking the stored tubers for any rot. Then in late January, early February I bench up the tubers and sow seeds. I spray the tubers with a fine mist of warm water daily from about the second week in February. If the weather is good I level the beds.
Come March, I sow a green manure of caliente mustard seeds in the beds. Take cuttings mid March and start potting up the seedlings. I continue taking cuttings in April up until about third week of April. Then I split the tubers.
May, I cut down the green manures, chop it up and dig in. Leave the ground for about two weeks and using the mantis tiller I prepare the beds for planting. Late May, early June I lay mypex (weed suppressant) ground cover on the beds and put up the posts and wire supports and start planting. I use a small handful of bonemeal in the planting holes.
Mid to late June I feed all the plants with a high nitrogen and spray with insecticide / fungicide and carry out a first stop on the plants for early shows.
July – first stop for late shows, week two. Second stop in week three on the early show plants. As buds form give a foliar feed of Epsom salts (once only). This helps foliage and also helps give better colour to blooms.
August – disbud as necessary. It is important to know your varieties to avoid oversize blooms. Mid to late August second stop on plants for National Shows. Its now show time ! Keep checking and marking new seedlings.
Note: From second week of August plants get fed fortnightly according to the needs of the variety. Some need high nitrogen. All others get high potash.
I hope that this information has been useful but remember that every garden is different so be flexible and keep notes.