UNITE Leisure Gardenwise
THE LONG AWAITED SEASON
Summer is with us bringing many things to do in the garden. Time as well to enjoy the long days, good weather and magic of this long awaited season.
Leaving lawns to grow slightly longer will make them more drought resistant if it’s dry. Continue mowing though as just tipping the grass will keep the lawn in good shape. If watering becomes essential then a good soaking is better than light irrigation.
Adding colour and interest to borders and containers is easily done by using pots of pre- grown plants. I have used alliums, lilies and ornamental grasses to add immediate effect. Other summer bedding either planted in situ or left in their pots make a real difference to your existing displays. It may seem an expensive solution but if you prepare it is not and works very well.
Nothing is healthier than growing your own vegetables. Culinary herbs are a nice way to add vital minerals, vitamins and not least , flavour to your diet. Chives, coriander, origanum, sage , thyme and rosemary are some popular choices. One of the less commonly grown herbs is lovage. The young stems are delicious but using the leaves all summer makes it a good garden choice. This plant seeds abundantly so you will have plenty to give away or grow on.
I grew perpetual leaf celery last year. It was a great addition. Easily grown and used in soups, salads and garnishes. Many perpetual vegetables are worth growing. They are low maintenance in general but offer high yields. Globe artichoke, asparagus, Egyptian onion, Jerusalem artichoke, perpetual leek, good king henry, daubenton cabbage, rhubarb are just some of many.
Now is also a time when taking and rooting cuttings works well. It’s simple and involves no complicated equipment. Be adventurous in what you try to propagate. The more you experiment the better your results will be. Layering shrubs is meant to be for the spring but I have had success in summer. It’s an easy method and beautifully simple.
Summer is a good time for visiting gardens. As well as for enjoyment it’s a useful way to learn. Joining or creating your own gardening group both in person and through the internet is rewarding. The exchange of knowledge and skills as well as the practical and economic aspects make it worthy of the time involved.
37 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2022
n By Phil Saunders
Clifford Harper
Getty Images
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