Amateur Gardening 3-Aug-2019

AUGUST is a funny months for gardeners because much of the garden is happily ticking over and simply requires watering and feeding where necessary, with a steady regime of weeding, pest checks and deadheading. It feels like one of the rare ‘growth months’ where there are no jobs that absolutely have to be tackled. This is lovely for gardeners because we can take time out to appreciate what we have cultivated and also catch up with less demanding jobs while we do so. On these two pages I look at some of my main priorities for the month ahead. One money-saving idea that’s definitely worth pursuing is collecting seeds for next year. You can save a fortune foraging around the ripened flowerheads of favourite annuals and biennials. Another option is…

It has been a dry year, which means that watering has become an essential part of the gardener’s regime. We use grey water from the washing up so long as it isn’t contaminated by food scraps and bleach. The roots of established border perennials, trees and shrubs should be widespread enough to be able to quest for the water they need. However, bedding plants, annuals and anything growing in containers will need regular feeding and watering to keep them looking good. Liquid fertilisers added to the watering cans give an instant hit of nutrients that will need to be reapplied every couple of weeks. Granular feeds that are scattered on and watered in give a longer supply of goodness.…

1 Cutting back and deadheading will keep plants neat, healthy and productive throughout the summer and into autumn if you’re lucky. 2 Keep harvesting your edibles to encourage more to grow. Fleece is a useful item for protecting crops from birds. 3 Clematis like their roots kept cool, so if you have any in pots, position more sun-loving plants in front of them as a sunshade. Keep on planting new plants and seedlings for late colour. 4 Watch out for pests and diseases. Beer traps are a simple way of controlling slugs, and good plant care helps defeat conditions such as powdery mildew.…

WE may love the summer, but long, hot dry spells can be hard work for your garden’s birds and wildlife, especially when they are rearing young. Keep them going by giving them plenty of nutritious food and by providing them with ample supplies of clean water. Refill bird feeders and bird tables with seeds, mealworms, suet nuggets and fat balls, and keep birdbaths brimming. Bird tables, feeders and baths should be thoroughly washed out every few weeks to avoid the spread of disease carried by sick birds. Remove uneaten food as it can also attract disease and vermin. If feasible, it is a good idea to move the bird table around the garden every few weeks so vast amounts of droppings don’t accumulate underneath in one spot. Hedgehogs will also appreciate bowls…

THE RHS Hampton Court Show underwent a change this year as the popular event morphed into the ‘Hampton Court Festival’, writes AG Editor Garry Coward-Williams. The RHS says it wants the event to become a ‘Gardening Glastonbury’, hence the change to ‘festival’. The idea is to make the show more engaging and accessible to young people by having live music and to focus the show on the well-being benefits of gardening and spending time outdoors. I think this is a very laudable move. Here are my thoughts on what I saw this year… Highs and lows I visited the Floral Marquee first, which for me is the best part of the show: gorgeous examples of plants at their finest, inspiration for what you can achieve, and the chance to buy direct. I then…

THIS summer’s Britain in Bloom judging is now in full swing, with pairs of RHS judges crisscrossing the UK and putting the 68 finalists through their paces, says Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach. From picture-postcard villages to city centres, finalists have got this far in the prestigious competition based on their success regionally. They have been picking up all-important points for their horticultural skills, community spirit and green credentials. In the running to be crowned this year’s Champion of Champions are the five far-flung communities of St Helier, Durham, Perth, Kingsbridge and Castlecaulfield, who will be visited by judges Roger Burnett and Jon Wheatley. Sharing their top tips for finalists, both judges stress that keeping things fun is one of the secrets of a successful judging tour. Previously, they’ve been…