Homes & gardens
Summer’s ground rules for watering
Midsummer – time for holidays, relaxation, hospitality, fun … and enjoying the garden...
This is one time of the year when gardeners can take a little time off — bar looking after essential maintenance.
Undertake research and grab some
ideas by visiting other people’s gardens. The grounds attached to heritage
properties such as Penshurst Place, Sissinghurst, Hever Castle and the Salutation at Sandwich are just four of the many world-famous gardens in Kent, and just over the border, Great Dixter, the family home of Christopher Lloyd, is a must.
Don’t forget the Open Garden Scheme.
Founded in 1927, this charity raises funds for a wide range of charities by opening gardens to the public.
This affords a wonderful opportunity
to visit delightful gardens — some large, some small — attached to private homes. “The Little Yellow Book” containing information can be picked up free in libraries and garden centres, or look online.
Watering is one of the most important chores — especially if we get a hot spell.
Generally speaking, established shrubs and trees (those planted four or five years ago) won’t require watering.
Established herbaceous plants can normally cope with a short hot period — otherwise they will need watering.
Remember that one good soaking is
infinitely better than two or three light sprinkles. Whenever possible, water early in the morning or late in the evening, when there will be less loss due to evaporation.
When it is very hot, avoid watering at midday, when the sun can cause leaf- scorch. During particularly hot weather, pots and tubs dry out especially quickly and they may need watering twice a day.
Remember that weeds need water in the same way as other plants. Remove them from beds and borders before they can pinch that valuable commodity.
Dead-head regularly to encourage
further flowering (it prevents the plants putting their energy into seed production). Sweet peas especially
benefit from dead-heading. Gardeners keen to benefit wildlife may want to leave rose flowers in place to allow the hips to develop. Mistle thrushes, blackbirds and fieldfares are amongst the many birds that relish hips.
Gardeners love to learn — especially
with fellow enthusiasts. Hadlow College is putting on an RHS and short course information evening on Thursday, July 23, in the college’s Garden Design Studios at the main campus at Hadlow. The event will start at 6pm with a simple buffet (provided free, but donations welcome) and the chance to network, followed by short presentations by tutors and past and present students. Attendance is open to everyone, and readers are assured a special welcome.
The college offers RHS and short
courses at the main campus and at the Canterbury and Mottingham out centres, all of which will be fully discussed. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and attendees will be able to claim special discount vouchers.
Please register attendance by Tuesday, July 11 by emailing
pat.crawford@
hadlow.ac.uk. Places will be reserved on a strict first come, first served basis (further information from Pat: 07771 635684).
Editorial supplied by Pat Crawford for Hadlow College
Mid Kent Living 45
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