Phew! There was comforting news on the radio today. The BBC, in all their authority and experience, announced that the coming week would bring rain and the first signs of autumn.
About time for the rain, not sure about the latter! Last year was so miserable and unpredictable up to July that it feels as if we all could do with the compensation of a long summer!
It is not hard to see the drought and hose pipe ban taking its toll on the plants around us. The normally indestructible Birches, Viburnums and fruit trees all have yellowing and curled leaves at their outer edges. Well-researched garden magazines are recommending drought tolerant plants. The trouble is, they are also having to recommend plants that get saturated by weeks of rain!
The good news is that there are many plants in this narrow band of drought and flood resistant plants. As I am drawing up a planting plan which must meet these requirements and next month is entering the purple patch for planting when the soil is still warm and the rains have come - I will go into this in more detail in September.
In the meantime, here is the monthly task check list:
• Dead head herbaceous plants, not forgetting dahlias and roses: these will all usually give you repeat flowering later in the year.
• Top up bird baths with clean water, especially at this time of year when sources of natural water are dwindling.
• Wisteria will need their summer prune. This gives a chance for light and air to ripen sturdier growth and produce better flowers. The technique is to cut back the whippier new tendrils to about 5 x buds, to just above the bud. Don’t forget that Wisterias need another chop in late winter.
• Avoid using tap water if you can when everyone in the neighbourhood is having a shower or washing up: they won’t thank you when the water pressure drops!
• Cut back rambling roses when they have finished flowering. Cut back a third of the oldest stems to the base then shorten the side stems by two thirds.
• Hedges can be given a final trim before their growth begins to slow down in September.
• Black spot on roses is very common at this time of year: clear fallen leaves and burn them to prevent spread.
• Worms will find it hard to flourish in dry summer months. Although this is a dry one, piles of grass cuttings under shrubs or hedges will still bring them into your garden where they can do the good work of helping keep the soil healthy.
• Trim conifer hedges if you have not done so already: avoid cutting into the brown wood as it will not regrow ( as is the case with most conifers).
• Wildflower areas should be cut down at the end of the month. It is important to rake up the cut material to keep reducing the nitrogen level of the soil: this encourages the production of flowers. By leaving the cut material a day or two, seeds can drop and increase the density of flowering material for the following year.
• Keep ponds topped up with water, preferably “grey” water from wastewater – water that comes from anywhere but the toilet (showers, washing up etc are fine).
As long as you are now prepared for record breaking sunshine and heavy rain in the next few days, you should be absolutely fine. What could possibly go wrong?