JULY and AUGUST

General
Gardeners should now be enjoying the "fruits" of their hard work.  Soon, many will be enjoying summer breaks.  Before going on holiday, remember to remove dead heads as they appear, make sure the lawn is cut and hoe all around to remove weeds.  Ask a kind neighbour to water for you and leave the hose/watering can out ready.  As a reward for their efforts, invite them to pick flowers or vegetables which may not be at their best when you return.  August is seen by some as the first month of Autumn.  The evening light reduces and temperature lowers.  High winds are not unknown, so be  prepared.  

Lawns
Continue to mow the lawn as in June remembering to keep the blades set a little higher to conserve moisture in the soil.  Continue to treat weeds as necessary with a suitable weed-killer.        

Roses
Remove blooms as they fade.  As soon as the first flush of blooms have faded, feed the roses and hoe the feed into the soil.   Treat blackspot, mildew and rust regurlary with the appropriate product.       

Herbaceous Plants 
Continue to cut back early flowering plants and dead head as the flowers fade.  Cut Lupins and Delphiniums when they have stopped flowering to ground level.  This will encourage a second display.  Remove stakes as they become unwanted.  If you feel up to it and are having a holiday at home, August is a good time to start preparing beds for Autumn.      

Greenhouse 
Watering plants and "damping down" must contiue in hot weather.  Pick tomatoes and cucumbers regularly.  Remember to remove unwanted side shoots and keep stems supported.  Remove male cucumber flowers.  Shade plants that are in bloom and make sure there is adequate ventilation.    

Bulb 
Complete any outstanding lifting of Spring bulbs by the end of July.  Check the bulbs already in store and remove any that have become rotten or infested with eelworms or fly grub.

Ponds 
Cut off large water lily leaves that are hiding flowers and thin out heavy growth of oxygenating plants.  In humid weather, help keep the water oxygenated by adding fresh water in the form of a spray from a hose.  

Patios  
Water containers daily and remove dead heads.  Discard and replace plants that have passed their best.  Remember, before going away to move containers to a shady spot to help them survive.  If your kind neighbour has followed your instructions the containers should be just as good when you return as they were when you went away.    
 

 

   We are happy to help with your garden enquiries