AUGUST – THE HOLIDAY MONTH

This is the month when the fruits of all your earlier labours bear dividends. It will also, assuming we have fi ne sunny weather, show the benefi ts of good soil husbandry. Those soils where organic matter has been added during cultivation and as a mulch will increase their humus content. This allows soil flora and fauna to develop, increasing the moisture holding capacity, resulting in healthier plants, increased yield in the vegetable plot and less need to water.

KEEP MOVING THE PARASOL

Leaving the garden furniture in one place for more than a few days will result in patches of yellow and worn grass.

RAISE THE HEIGHT OF CUT ON YOUR MOWER

It is a scientifi cally proven fact that the temperature above vegetation is 5 – 8oC cooler than above bare soil or hard surfaces. Longer grass also retains moisture.

HAVE YOU PRUNED...

The long straggly growths on wisteria? The dead heads out of the syringa? The long whippy shoots of philadelphus? The whiskery epicormic growth away from the base of mature limes?

REMOVE THE SIDE SHOOTS ON TOMATOES

An early pinching is necessary to stop energy going into the side shoots produced in the leaf joints. Save water from food preparation in the kitchen and use this to water the plants.

WATCH OUT FOR WEEVILS

As dusk falls the adult vine weevil will appear to feed. On a nocturnal wander you will soon discover the population your garden plants support. Feed them to the fish.

HEDGES WILL NEED A TRIM

Leave beech until late August. If trimmed too early new growth may result, spoiling your clean lines and hard work.

AGAPANTHUS IN CONTAINERS REQUIRE WATER

If you are going on holiday remember to ask a neighbour to water your tubs.

FILL A VASE WITH SWEET PEAS

The more frequently sweet peas are cut the more prolifi c their flowering will be.

STRAWBERRY RUNNERS

Look through the strawberry patch; runners sent out from the mother plant will run amok. If you need these to rejuvenate the patch, pin them down in an open piece of soil. They will then root into the soil and grow to a good size for planting out next month. If not needed, cut them out as they take energy away from the plant.

AGITATE THE COMPOST HEAP

The heap needs your help. By turning the material the dry outer shell will be incorporated with the decomposing centre.

POND LIFE

Take a pronged stick and twist it over the surface of the water to remove blanket weed from ponds. Add this to the compost heap.

HEALTHY PLANTS

Look out for red spider infestations in hot dry glasshouses and conservatories. Try a biological control if the infestation is severe