Sometimes one misses the blindingly obvious. “Why don’t you have your potted shrubs on plant trays (saucers) – you will save so much water and time?”. So said a fellow gardener as she looked at me as if I were an idiot.
I have been so keen not to kill off my potted plants by letting them rot in water overwinter, that I have completely overlooked heaving them on to large plant saucers in dry spells.
At a time when there is a hose pipe ban coming into place this is all the more helpful. I can take bath or shower water and bucket the water into trays (saucers) and the job is done. After a couple of days of doing this, they are already looking healthier!
Many plants are looking stressed at the moment: the drought has particularly affected Viburnums I find. Often it doesn’t take much to perk them up or at least give them help to survive the next few months – and most of them will.
So here are this month’s suggestions:
• Water your containers and newly planted trees and shrubs: it is surprising how quickly they will dry out.
• Deadhead roses and keep an eye out for signs of powdery mildew, blackspot or rust. Prevention is always better than cure so water, feed and pick off rust or blackspot affected leaves.
• Cut back Delphiniums and hardy Geraniums and other herbaceous plants with a similar habit after the first flush of flowers: this will encourage a second flowering period. Feed after cutting them back.
• Prune June-flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus and Weigela after flowering. Prune deciduous Magnolias if necessary.
• Prune Wisteria in cooler areas, waiting until next month in warmer counties to prevent the plant producing too much new growth after pruning. Cut back to 5 or 6 leaves.
• Fast-growing hedges such as Leyland cypress should be clipped as necessary throughout the growing season. Clip topiary to the desired shapes.
• Box plants and hedges have been increasingly susceptible to damage by moths/caterpillars in recent years. If you find any, pick them off or spray them but be aware that warm, wet weather can cause leaf drop due to box blight fungal infection.
• If your floral displays need perking up give them a weekly shot of high-potassium liquid fertiliser. Deadhead the flowers when they are over.
• The bird population will appreciate keeping the bird bath topped up but by keeping them clean, you prevent the spread of diseases such as bird pox.
• Ponds are never maintenance-free! Thin out vigorous oxygenating plants leaving the prunings on the side of the pond to allow the aquatic creatures back into the water. Try to keep about 30% of the water clear of plants.
• Use grey water where you can, harvested from baths, sinks and showers. For hygiene purposes, use within 24 hours and not on edible crops as pathogens and bacterial growth may cause harm.
• Baby hedgehogs will be looking for sustenance this month: leaving the slugs for them to eat and ensuring ponds gently sloped access points will help.
• Move your house plants outside to somewhere sheltered and shady for the hottest months of the year. This will strengthen them against pest and diseases such as Red Spider Mite.
Talking of watering – everyone working in the gardens is careful to drink more than they normally do, even when it is overcast. Have you had your daily 2 litres petal?