Village Voice AUGSEPT 22

During August & September
August is high Summer when the heat is maintained but day-length becomes noticeably
reduced towards the end of the month.
September is more mellow, day-length shortens rapidly as it progresses.
• Scruffy Lawns will benefit from scarifying. Also, patches can be reseeded with a gently
loosening of the top and addition of good quality seed. If dry pre-moisten and keep moist until
growth is established. If and when you cut the lawn, don’t over cut it and remember to
compost the clippings.
• Summer pruning of fruit trees produces less soft growth than winter pruning. Birds and
squirrels love the ripening fruit of plums and cherries, so protection is beneficial. And
remember, these beasties are awake and feeding while we are in deep nod. The prunings of
raspberries can be shredded (or finely chopped up) and added to the compost.
• Keep harvesting and devouring crops before they become tough, and there are some late veg
can still be sown under glass: Rocket, Endive, Chicory, spring Onion and spring Cabbage.
Japanese Onions can be planted in September.
• Keep Brassicas protected from pigeons, they will strip all the new growth.
• August is a good month to “hedge”, so those shears need to be sharp and oiled.
• Many shrubs will benefit from trimming back new growth, this will let the small shoots harden
before the Winter blasts. Hebes should be pruned back after flowering.
• If dry, camellias need a good soak, they are now developing next year’s blossom.
• If wet, you can start moving plants around the garden.
• Now is the time to collect ripe seed. It is not necessary to collect weed seed - they spread
perfect well without help. That is unless a re-wilded garden is desired.
• At the risk of sounding like a cracked record, keep head-heading.
• Continue watering pots and new plantings, and keep fed.
• We can’t let our Daisies droop, so keep herbaceous plants supported until they have finished
flowering.
• Daffodils and other spring bulbs should be planted in September. Tulips are best planted in
November. Buy fresh and plant fresh.
• Cuttings of tender perennials such as Salvias or Penstemon can be taken in late Summer, they
need to be kept moist and warm.
• Remove the greenhouse shading.
• Any bare ground will love some unctuous compost spread over it.
• And, most importantly, if it’s hot just sit back and enjoy your garden, and ignore the weeds.
We welcome any questions that you may have, and we'll do our best to help.
We have been keen gardeners for over 30 years, opening our garden over 18 years for the
National Garden Scheme. Since moving to the New Forest area we have been recreating a largish
garden whilst getting used to the new soil conditions.
Roger Please & Marian mention Peacock The Village - contact Voice email: when info@lymingtondirectory.co.uk
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