August
In The Flower Garden This August
Water evergreen shrubs like camellias and rhododendrons thoroughly this month to make sure that next year’s buds develop well.
Dead-head annual bedding plants and perennials to encourage them to flower into the autumn and stop them self-seeding.
Keep patio container plants well watered and feed with a liquid fertiliser every fortnight.
Cut back faded perennials to keep borders tidy.
Prune wisteria after flowering by removing all whippy side-shoots from the main branch framework to about 20cm from their base.
Take cuttings of your favourite tender perennials such as pelagoniums and fuchsias to propagate them for next year.
Cut back herbs now to encourage a new flush of tasty leaves you can harvest before the frost.
Top Tip:
Stake tall or top-heavy dahlias and lilies to prevent wind and rain damage. Also dead-head lilies for a better flower display next year.
This Month's Key Tips
- Keep ponds and water features topped up.
- Watering - particularly containers and new plants, preferably with recycled water or stored rainwater.
- Deadhead flowering plants regularly.
- Don't delay summer pruning fruits trained as restricted forms.
- Harvest vegetables regularly as they become ready to promote new growth.