With the approach of mid-summer, the long evenings give us the opportunity to really get on top of the planting and tending the garden. We should also have more time to enjoy the gardens that we have created. It is now fairly safe to plant out the most tender of the bedding plants in flower beds, containers, hanging baskets and window boxes. You should try to visit the garden centre to get the best choice of plants as soon as you are able, because once sold it is not possible for growers to produce further crops at this late stage. There should still be plenty of geraniums, petunias, fuchsias and busy lizzies. Once planted, bedding plants need to be watered regularly and feeding with a liquid fertilizer should be done once every fortnight. Always keep window boxes well watered.
Glasshouses should be kept humid by damping down. Ventilation is important in hot weather and it is possible to fit an automatic opener, such as the Jemp-Vent, to control this. Tomato plants should be fed with Tomorite and it is very important to keep them regularly watered to prevent the fruit from rotting. Outdoor tomatoes can now be planted. Peas can be sown and regular sowings of salad crops should be maintained. Plant out sweet corn, celery, brassicas and of course runner beans. Keep on top of the hoeing and watering and watch out for pests, especially the cabbage white caterpillars which can ruin crops.
Container-grown shrubs and roses can still be planted but will need to be well watered. Mulching of shrub borders will help to prevent plants drying out. Roses should be sprayed regularly with something like Roseclear, and feeding with Toprose fertilizer is good for both roses and shrubs. Shrubs that have flowered, such as deutzias, philadelphus and weigelia, can be pruned now as can the Montana clematis group. Herbaceous perennials that have finished flowering can be cut back and divided. Perennials such as lupins and biennials such as wallflowers can now be sown. Lawns should be fed with a liquid feed at this time of the year. Mow grass at least once a week but in very hot weather do not cut it to short and only water new lawns. And don’t forget to provide water for the garden birds.
From June 15-19, Gardeners World Live takes place at Birmingham NEC and is well worth a visit. Tickets can be obtained by phoning 0870 165 5572. There is a special Flower Festival at Hatfield House from June 10-12. The gardens of Serge Hill, Bedmond, are open to view on Sunday June 19, and the gardens at Ashridge House, Berkhamsted, are also open on June 19. Chipperfield has its own Summer show on July 2 so you will need to be getting ready for that.
Terry Simmonds