There is no doubt that a garden can be quite demanding, indeed the more variety you have the more time it seems to take to keep everything ship shape. August is a time when the garden can look a little tired and it is true the initial surge of growth and flower takes its toll on plants. It is essential to keep cutting off faded blooms, watering in dry periods and applying a little liquid feed every couple of weeks, especially to those plants in containers.
[private]Roses in particular are in need of a boost at this time of year, a general liquid feed will help them produce a second flush of flowers and produce good strong growth which will support flowering next year. With climbing or rambler roses it’s a good time to start selecting the new growths for next year carefully tying in to the frame or wall the soft growths. You can select the best later in the year but if you forget to tie them in at this time of year they are often broken by the wind. In addition as the shoots age they become less flexible and are more prone to break. Continue to remove faded blooms as this will encourage most types to continue flowering.
There is still time to make some late sowings of vegetables such as winter cabbage, lettuce, swede, carrots and beetroot. Some may only produce small crops but at least it extends the supply of fresh home grown produce.
We have been experiencing some quite favourable weather conditions, sunny spells and occasional showers, good for the garden anyway. If you are planning a trip away make sure you have asked a friend or neighbour to look after those plants that will need a little water, there is nothing more disappointing that arriving home to find all your container plants crispy.
I give my lawn a feed early August, having chopped it on a weekly basis since March it is no surprise that it may be showing signs of browning especially in dry periods. I usually apply fertilizer to my lawn whilst it’s raining, yes the neighbours do think I’m mad but it’s a way of making sure the fertilizer is watered in. There is a certain pleasure in being out in the rain, freshness, the gentle patter of raindrops on your hood; yes they are right I’m as mad as a box of frogs! If you apply the fertilizer on a dry day you must water it in with a sprinkler otherwise the grass will scorch and go brown. It will recover but looks a mess for a while.
Finally make time to enjoy your efforts, there is nothing quite like relaxing in a comfortable recliner with a long drink of something you like gazing across the garden at the fruits of your labours. It is also the time of year when bulb catalogues arrive and our attention is turned to choosing our spring displays.[/private]
Martin S Walker – Head Gardener, York Gate Garden Adel, Leeds.
Happy gardening,
Martin
York Gate Garden is owned and maintained by the charity Perennial (Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society) which provides advice help and support in times of need or difficulty for people who are working in, or have retired from any of the gardening trades. (Registered Charity no. 1155156).
Opening times and further details can be found on our website at www.perennial .org.uk
