Gardening Jobs for August

Hello August - The month of our popular food & drink festival! 

Simon, our Garden Centre Manager, has put together a list of August gardening jobs before we head into the Autumn. 

• Make sure water butts are in position, ready to collect much needed rainwater.

• Introduce nematodes to outdoor tubs to help control Vine Weevil infestations. 

• Feed and dead-head Roses and bedding plants to encourage more flowering.

• Keep feeding planted tubs and baskets to help keep energy levels up and keep growth and flower production up.

• Under watered Camelias will not produce flowers next year, so be sure to water regularly.  They prefer rainwater, but from the tap is better than none.

• Prune rambling Roses this month, removing older material to leave approximately two thirds of the plant to be tied in.

• Make sure trees and shrubs planted this year are kept well-watered.

• Keep your eyes peeled for blight symptoms of yellow legions on tomato leave, brown stems and black fruit.  Immediately remove infected material and hope it doesn’t spread. 

• Plant rooted strawberry runners where they are to fruit for the next 3 years

• Pinch out the tops of tomato plants grown outdoors, to push the energy into ripening the last of the fruit.

• Expose grapes to the sun by removing foliage that’s in the way.

• Plant ‘certified’ seed potatoes for a Christmas Day crop!! We have many varieties in store now.  

• Keep bird baths topped up and feeders too.

• And finally, sit back with your favourite drink and soak up the rewards of your hard work!!