Pick of the bunch: Garden centres reopen again but plan your trip carefully to avoid disappointment

Garden centres are open again, but plan your trip carefully. 

They’re up and running at last, and no doubt they’ll be frantically busy. You’ll have to queue at your local garden centre, so it’s important to get it right once you’re allowed in.

There’s a lot of choice out there and the good news is that the summer planting you might expect.

Years ago, it was considered unsafe to move anything tender outside before the end of May. But recently we’ve been planting much earlier, perhaps because spring comes sooner now.

However, early planting brings no benefits. Indeed, as Wednesday night’s vicious frost showed, it can be risky. 

Tender summer plants such as petunias and busy lizzies are bred for extra-long performance. 

Even if planted in mid to late June, they’ll flower copiously until mid-October. So if there are queues in the garden centre and you have to prioritise, here are some suggestions for getting the best from your visit. 

Remember, too, that seeds, compost and bedding plants are still available online or by mail order.

SHELL OUT ON SEEDS 

Seeds will be your lightest load. If you’re quick, there’s still time to sow fast-growing annuals, particularly calendulas, nasturtiums, Shirley poppies, cornflowers and larkspurs.

SNAP UP BEDDING 

Tender bedding plants will be selling fast. Small plants of lobelias, busy lizzies, French marigolds and so forth will be laid out in cell trays. Select those with the most healthy looking, evenly grown plants.

MAKE A STATEMENT 

Large feature plants will be expensive, but offer terrific value. They make long-lasting focal points and blend beautifully with smaller plants.

When planting them in large containers, blend colours and textures which work well together. High value plants include trailing and upright begonias, fragrant heliotropes, abutilons and fuchsias.

Don’t forget foliage plants such as Helichrysum or ­Plectranthus for vegetation.

FEEDING THE FAMILY 

Tender food crops also need urgent planting. Tomatoes should be widely available but make sure you buy the right variety. 

Bush tomatoes or trailing container varieties are best for planting outdoors. For a greenhouse, you need cordon or indeterminate varieties.

Courgette or marrow plants and cucumber seedlings are easily damaged and slow to recover. So choose plants which look healthy and handle with care.

REMEMBER SUNDRIES 

If you have yet to buy potting compost, get cracking as sales have been brisk.

Remember that it’s heavy stuff to lug home from the garden centre. You can buy most kinds of compost online. Amazon offers a substantial range, but demand is big, so deliveries may take time