One of the troubles with having an intermittently wet summer is that it is hard to get weeds under control.
This is not such a problem if you have moved away from using chemical sprays with an active ingredient such as glyphosate, commonly found in the product marketed as Round-up. In this method, three to four hours of dry weather is needed for the green material of a plant to absorb the glyphosate and to then make its way into the system, including and importantly, the roots. (Hence it being categorized as a systemic weedkiller).
There is increasing evidence that exposure to glyphosate can be harmful, even carcinogenic - so whilst it is efficient, it also has its risks. However, organic substitutes are not problem free: using concentrated vinegar, clove oil, citrus oil and lemon juice is still pouring unnaturally strong doses of organic material into the ground and rarely finish off deep rooted plants such as docks. Likewise with using peppermint, citronella, pine, and other essential oils: making sure pets are well clear of the treated areas is another complication.
Hand weeding can be hard work but if the soil is damp weeds are far more likely to yield to being dug out. Hoeing is my weeding technique of choice: it gets me outside, gives me much needed upper body exercise (!) and if done weekly, is effective on even the most stubborn plants.
The trick is to get a well-made hoe that suits your body height and strength and to keep the blade effective with regular sharpening. It is really quite satisfying!
Tasks to do this month include:
• 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. Don’t forget that Wisterias need another chop in late winter.
• Avoid using tap water if you can 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. Cut back a third of the oldest stems to the base then shorten the side stems by two thirds.
• 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.
• Worms will find it hard to flourish in dry summer months. Although this is a wet one, piles of grass cuttings under shrubs or hedges will still bring them into your garden where they can do the good work of helping keep the soil healthy.
• Trim conifer hedges if you have not done so already: avoid cutting into the brown wood as on most species, it will not regrow.
• Wildflower areas should be cut down at the end of the month. It is important to rake up the cut material to keep reducing the nitrogen level of the soil: this encourages the production of flowers. By leaving the cut material a day or two, seeds can drop and increase the density of flowering material for the following year.
• Keep ponds topped up with water, preferably “grey” water from wastewater – water that comes from anywhere but the toilet (showers, washing up etc).
Who knows what our future summers will be like – wet, cold, parched? Regular trips to the tool shed and into the garden will make sure that whatever occurs, you will be on top of the chores and the garden will be a place of enjoyment, not toil, trouble and strife.