I feel rather sorry for those responsible for keeping lawns, hedges and borders trimmed this month. The wet and warm weather have boosted plant growth, including every sort of weed under the sun!
Whilst the rain has dampened surfaces and the soil, it is worth noting that when I recently dug in a plant, I saw that all this rain had barely penetrated 25mm (an inch) down. Hanging baskets and pots will still need watering as will plants introduced in the past year.
Plants and borders can get a bit raggedy at this time of year, especially if there are high winds: it is worth trimming, dead heading and tying back where they are becoming unruly. Geraniums and Dicentra particularly benefit from this treatment. As a Hampshire garden designer I try to give my clients as much direction as possible for their new borders.
Where weeds such as bindweed have begun conquering borders, a bare minimum of pulling off what you can manage will at least stifle its progress. I recently painted some leaves of bindweed that was smothering a large rose: the result wasn’t instant, but it was certainly effective and after a month the bindweed shrivelled up in a very satisfactory manner. I don’t like using weedkiller if I can help it but the judicious use of Roundup or something similar, can often be the only way to tackle a weed problem if time is limited.
Regular hoeing will gradually weaken bindweed, ground elder and horsetail. It is bit like our recent global health challenge - you have to keep at it to bring about change!
Hopefully, many of the folk I know are able to take a well-earned break, especially if they feel it is not well earned. Everyone I know needs a break.
If you are not out and about or away on a trip, the following jobs are good to get done this month:
• Dead head herbaceous plants, not forgetting dahlias and roses: these will all usually give you repeat flowering later in the year.
• Wisteria will need their summer prune. This gives a chance for light and air to ripen sturdier growth and produce better flowers. The technique is to cut back the whippier new tendrils to about 5 x buds, to just above the bud. Do not forget that Wisterias need another chop in late winter.
• Keep ponds topped up with water, preferably “grey” water collected from roof run off. Try to avoid using a hose when everyone in the neighbourhood is having a shower or washing up: they won’t thank you when the water pressure drops!
• Cut back rambling roses when they have finished flowering. Be brutal -they are!
• Hedges can be given a final trim before their growth begins to slow down in September.
• Black spot on roses is very common at this time of year: clear fallen leaves and burn them to prevent spread.
Make the most of this wet august: the hedgerows in the countryside are stunning with all sorts of wild flowers bursting out and competing for space. That isn’t the best of it: not only can you enjoy the show, you can relax in the knowledge that you won’t have to do any weeding, trimming, feeding or watering!