N
ow’s the time when you’ll really be enjoying the fruits of your labour - quite literally if you’ve blackberries,
redcurrants and other summer fruits to harvest. Flower gardens will be at their best during July and August, and spring sown vegetables will be ready for the taking.
Watering, mowing, dead-heading and weeding duties will need to continue right the way through, although now that the sun is at its hottest I’d advise abandoning morning waterings and instead water well each evening. The warmer and, hopefully, drier conditions will also give you the chance to treat any garden woodwork to a coat of paint or varnish.
flowering can now be pruned back, as well as wisteria and cherry plum, peach and apricot trees. Any weak new growth, and failing old wood, should be cut back on perennials such as honeysuckle and clematis.
Check plants for signs of pests and disease and treat accordingly. One pest that you might not think about is the rabbit. These are out in full force now that young are approaching full size and will take much pleasure from spending time in
Climbing roses that have finished
Any weak new growth should be cut back on perennials such as honeysuckle
your borders or vegetable patch. Fence off anything you think might be at risk. The easiest option is to construct a small chicken wire fence around vulnerable plants, being sure to dig the lower length into the soil a couple of inches to prevent the rabbits from digging underneath the barrier.
In the vegetable garden there’s still time to sow some summer/autumn veg, including fast-growing lettuces, beetroot, radishes and peas. Spring sown peas will now be getting to the stage where they’ll need supporting, as will runner beans and some varieties of broad bean. Wigwam
Warmer, drier conditions will give you the chance to treat garden woodwork to a coat of paint or varnish
G
type constructions made from six-foot poles work best for runner beans, while lengths of string tied between two poles at either end of pea and broad bean rows will provide sufficient support.
With all that’s going on at this time of the year it’s likely that you won’t have much free time on your hands, but try to spare time to think ahead and order spring bulbs. Make the most from the plants that you already have, too. Take cuttings from clematis, hydrangea, etc, and collect seeds from flowering plants. The latter can be stored in labelled pockets of folded paper ready for use next year. You’ll also want to think about clearing out the greenhouse ready for plants that will need bringing in once the cooler weather creeps back in in a few weeks.
ARDINER’S WORL GREAT GARDENS NEEDN’T COST THE EARTH!
All garden maintenance undertaken
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JULY-AUG, 2013, The DIARY 35
Gardiner’s Diary
by Craig Gardiner of Gardiner’s World
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