Seasoned gardener Dennis Meredith shares month-by-month tips to keep your garden blooming beautifully all year round.
August is one of the busiest months of the year in the garden, he says.
With minimal rainfall this August, make sure your established plants are given a good watering.
If there is no hosepipe ban, water the plants deeply so the water reaches the roots of the plants.
Deadhead for Ongoing Colour
Now is the time to deadhead all plants especially bedding plants like dwarf dahlias and petunias. Removing spent blooms encourages plants to keep producing flowers until the end of the summer.
Keep Weeds at Bay
Hoeing the surface of the borders regularly prevents weeds from taking up moisture from your established plants.
Feed hanging baskets and containers with a recognised liquid feed.
Rose Care in August
Roses need special attention in August.
Watch for certain diseases such as black spot mildew and rust. They will also benefit from a monthly feed with a recognised rose fertiliser. Place a handful round each bush and water in well once the roses are flowered.
Cut the stems halfway down; that way you will get a second flush of flowers.
Spray the leaves with a liquid feed once a week with a foliar feed. You will see the difference straightaway; roses can absorb nutrients through their leaves which gives them a tangible boost.
Dennis’s tip of the month: “Deadheading is like telling your plants, don’t stop now! Give them a trim and they’ll reward you with more colour than you thought possible.”
Coming Up Next Month in September:
Stop! 3 Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Garden Pots
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