Trees
and Shrubs:
Shrubs
that have already flowered will benefit from pruning
this month. Start by removing any damaged, weak
or unproductive wood, then clip any untidy fresh
growth. Any large wounds made should be treated
with ‘Prune and Seal’ to ensure diseases do not
enter.
It
is a good time to start propagating Heathers. The
short side shoots can easily be rooted in two parts
of ‘Kelkay Horticultural Grit Sand or Sharp Sand’
with one part of Irish Moss Peat.
You
can now make cuttings from many shrubs using semi
ripe wood. You can do this using ‘Growing Success
Organic Rooting Powder’ and John Innes Seed and
Cutting Compost’, in a propagator.
When
planting new shrubs and trees, use ‘Rootgrow’ in
the hole, as it gives your plant a better root system.
Climbers
and Wall Plants:
Tie
in new growth on climbing plants using ‘Tenax Tree
Ties’. Train wall shrubs such as Ceanothus and Pyracantha
by tying them to supports. Any new shoots growing
forward need to be trimmed back.
Wisteria
needs to be cut back as it will get untidy very
quickly.
Roses:
Shoots
on rambling roses that have flowers need to be cut
back down to the base. Train the new shoots to take
the place of the old ones using ‘Tenax Plant Ties’.
If there are a few new shoots then some of the stronger
old ones can be kept, but cut their side shoot back
to 4 to 6 inches.
Dead-heading
is essential to encourage more flowering. Keep checking
for any pests and diseases. If you do need to treat
you can use ‘Bayer Garden Multirose’. If you are
organic you can plant Lavenders nearby as they are
a complimentary plant and will keep most pests off.
In
dry weather it is an idea to mulch around the roses
with ‘Dunston Hall Decorative Bark’, as dryness
at the roots can lead to disorders and diseases.
Beds
and Borders:
Keep
dead-heading tubs and baskets and any other bedding
plants in the garden. This will encourage more flowers
on plants such as Dahlia, Geraniums, Asters, etc.
Now
that we are halfway through the season it is a good
time to feed your tubs and baskets with ‘Miracle
Gro Organic Choice Bloom Booster’.
Bulbs:
Spring
bulbs that were lifted in early summer can now be
planted using ‘Bulb Fibre’, as can new bulbs (available
in the garden centre from the second week of August).
Rock
and Water Gardens:
Many
plants in the rockery will now be producing new
shoots after the early trim. These shoots will provide
excellent cuttings. The use of ‘Growing Success
Organic Rooting Powder’ will get them off to a good
start.
Old
flowering stems in the water garden should be cut
back to prevent any from seeding. If the pond water
is turning green due to sunlight you can use ‘Interpret
Extract of Barley Straw’.
Lawns:
Towards
the end of the month you can start to seed a new
lawn, or over seed worn patches in an existing lawn.
We have many different types of lawn seed, but we
recommend ‘Mr Fothergills Lawn Seed (Hardwearing)’
– as it is “hardwearing”.
Vegetables:
A
final sowing of Beetroot and Carrots can be made
in the open ground. Brussels Sprouts and other tall
vegetable plants may need supporting by canes.
Greenhouse
and Frame:
Cyclamen
tubers that were lifted earlier this year can be
started into growth again. Knock them from the pot
and plant in ‘Dunston Hall Multipurpose Compost’.
Water well and place them on staging.
