Issue 118 - the Pembury Village Website

JAN’S GARDEN VIEWSHERE WE ARE in the lazy, hazy, crazy daysof SUMMER – and long may it last. We allwant to relax in our gardens and enjoy thewarmer days so for most of us less gardenmaintenance is desirable. With forethought andplanning this can be achieved and also produce awell kept garden that is a delight to the eye. Onegood idea is to make a plan of work that wouldtake a limit of one hour perhaps twice a week,especially now we have lighter evenings.For your lawns, make sure your mower isadequate for the job and regularly sharpened.Consider eliminating small grass areas and coverthem with gravel, cobbles or informal pavingwith spaces left for carpeting plants or smallherbs which make an attractive and usefulalternative.Weeding can be a time consuming job, but usingyour hoe to catch weeds while they are tiny isinvaluable. They don’t have a chance to set seedand can be hoed out and returned to the soil.Weeds rob the garden of water and nutrients andalso harbour many pests and diseases. Groundcoverplants and evergreen dwarf Juniperssmother weeds and reduce maintenance.Mulching borders is gaining in popularity. Forestbark is attractive and breaks down slowly, helpsto prevent weeds and reduces watering. Theinitial expense can justify the considerable savingin labour.Many gardeners are retired and while they maybe keen, many find they need to reduce jobs thatrequire bending. Raised beds help considerablyand look attractive – strategically arranged.A raised sink garden standing on bricks can giveendless pleasure to grow alpines, miniature rosesor any small plants of your choice. An old stonesink (these are still about) or a second-handglazed one would be ideal with a waste outlet fordrainage. Cover the bottom with a layer ofcrocks and gravel and fill with a good pottingcompost to within an inch of the top. Onceplanted up apply gravel or stone chippings for anattractive finish and to help conserve moistureround the plants.Low maintenance evergreen shrubs have becomeincreasingly popular. While evergreens are auseful framework they should be usedmoderately, as flowers and seasonal changesprevent the garden from looking soulless. Shrubscan be mixedsuccessfully withherbaceous plants.Many have a sturdyhabit and do notrequire staking suchas phlox, penstemons,lupins, alliums, irises and hardy fuchsias to namebut a few. The joy of the wonderful flowers theyproduce surely outweighs the work of a littlepruning they require and they reward you byreturning year after year!With the children’s summer holidaysapproaching it is a good time to encouragechildren of all ages to take interest in the garden.Give them a patch of soil of their own with atrowel and some easy seeds such as sunflowersor nasturtiums. These are quite fast to germinateand grow. Buy a few tomato plants to growsomething edible and they will love the wateringbit and watching small tomatoes appear. Theywill get wet feet and make a muddy mess butdon’t worry, it is that first inkling of interest thatis all-important and will stay with them. Anotheridea they may take to is to make a miniaturegarden in any old tray. Moss is best to line thetray, pressed down firmly then they need to lookoutdoors for a list of things such as small stones,old tree bark, twigs, pine cones, leaves, acorns.Then indoors, for any beads, string, plasticanimals, a small mirror, marbles, building blocksand anything else that appeals. Leave them touse their imagination and energy, and then seewhat emerges.A brief run-down of some essential summer jobs:● Keep deadheading for continuous flowers onyour annuals and perennials.● Roses need their second fertilizer feed duringJune or early July and watch for those aphids.● Take action immediately against pests anddiseases as they can build up at an alarmingrate.● During droughts, don’t cut the lawn too shortand vary the direction in which you cut it.● Keep your greenhouse well aired and free ofwhitefly. Crushed garlic placed around helps alot or grow Tagetes (Marigolds) among plants.Have a wonderful summer. Happy gardening!Jan Davies33