It’s been a wonderful year for lilies in my garden, as I have been growing them in pots in the greenhouse to avoid the lily beetle, with wonderful and fragrant results. But the show is over and I have just deadheaded and fed the plants to help the bulbs to bulk up for next year.
Chop old fruited canes on summer raspberries right down to the ground – or they will soon set off across your and your near-neighbours’ gardens. Tie the new canes to supports. A feed and a mulch will reward them for their summer of hard work.
Camellias and rhododendrons in pots are easily overlooked at this time of year, but this is a crucial moment. Next year’s buds are forming, so keep plants well watered and mollycoddled to get the best possible spring display.
So many heritage tomatoes, so little time. Victoriana Nursery in Kent tackles this pressing issue head on this coming week by opening up their tomato tunnels for tastings. Visit, admire, eat over 70 varieties and stock up on your favourite’s seeds (victoriananursery.co.uk).
Now is the time to get a ceanothus cutting. They should be 4-6in long, comprise this year’s growth, and be hard at the base with a softer tip. Push them into a pot of gritty compost, cover with a plastic bag and keep in the greenhouse.
Bearded irises don’t like to be crowded. Every two or three years at this time of summer lift them and split them and give each its own space (about 30cm apart). Cut the leaves down by half first so they don’t lose too much hydration.
If you are planning a new lawn, autumn is the time to sow or lay it, but it is a good idea to weed, dig over and rake the ground now so that the ground has time to settle pre-laying. Hoe off the resulting flush of weeds.
Hot weather lowers both the water and oxygen level in ponds. Top yours up if it is getting low, ideally with rainwater from a water butt. A little solar fountain left running overnight (when oxygen levels are at their lowest) also helps.
I always fool myself that I am going to remember what grows where in my borders for a winter sort-out, but in fact it’s impossible. Take lots of pictures now to look at in a few months time.
Courgettes planted early are really running out of steam now. Look for plants in garden centres and plant them into polytunnel borders or in pots in the greenhouse for a late crop.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
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