TREES SHRUBS AND FLOWERS
- Prune flowering shrubs that flower in early summer, such as Philadelphus and Weigelia, to healthy new growth lower down. Prune the oldest woody stems down to ground level.
- Water new plants regularly
- Pick sweet peas regularly and remove any seed pods. Give a weekly high potassium feed such as tomato food.
- Divide bearded iris to encourage better flowering next year.
- Keep mower blades high to make the grass more resilient to drought.
- Increase your lavender, rosemary and sage by taking cuttings from non flowering stems.
- Feed hanging baskets with high potassium fertiliser weekly.
- Shape evergreen topiary.
GREENER GARDENING
- Keep birdbaths topped up and remember to clean them often.
- If levels drop top up your pond with collected rainwater.
- Check for holes in fruit cage netting and make sure that it is taut to prevent birds from getting trapped in it.
- Baby hedgehogs will be appearing now so put out some meat based cat food for them.
FRUIT , VEGETABLES AND HERBS
- Start growing for winter and spring. Sow spring cabbage, turnips, oriental vegetables, chicory, fennel and salad for winter cropping.
- Keep sowing salad and spinach.
- Tidy citrus plants. Pinch out the tips of vigorous , leafy growth.
- Water tomatoes to prevent them from splitting.
- Sow late beans in a pot or directly into well prepared soil.
- Encourage herbs. Pick leafy herbs regularly so plants continue to produce planty of fresh foliage.