The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

In the early part of this month it is a time for deadheading, collecting seeds, and generally keeping the garden neat and tidy.

 

Towards the end of the month; it is a time to be considering planting out perennial and biennial plants while the soil is quite warm. This practice generally gets young plants off to a good start.

 

Week No. 31 - 29th Jul to 4th Aug

 

• Clear away the remains of Colchicum existing plants, and plant out newly purchased corms in groups 75mm deep if required.

 

• Collect seed from Cyclamen and Meconopsis if required, and sow immediatly.

 

• If not done previously; cut back Ajuga, and Philadelphus after flowering.

 

• Protect herbaceous plants from powdery mildew, and Downy Mildew by applying a suitable fungicide.

 

• Deadhead roses unless you wish them to produce rose hips.

 

Week No. 32 - 5th to 11th

 

• Plant out Bearded Iris, including dividing and replanting established plants if necessary.

 

• Divide and repot Nerines if required.

 

• Cut down Escallonia after flowering.

 

• Deadhead and feed Dianthus chinensis,

 

• Cut Limonium flower stems for drying when the flowers are fully open.

 

• Cut down Poppy / Papaver stems with their large flat topped seed pods, and use as part of a dried flower display.

 

• Dry Lavender for pot pouri and tidy up plants by shearing them back.

 

• Collect Sweet William seed.

 

• Layer Lonicera if required.

 

Week No. 33 - 12th to 18th

 

• Prepare outdoor bed for Auricula, and pot on rooted Auricula offsetts.

 

• Plant out Crepsis.

 

• If not done previously; layer Azaleas & Rhododendrons if required

 

Week No. 34 - 19th to 25th

 

• Deadhead bedding Dahlias.

 

• Water Dahlias regularly particularly during spells of dry weather, applying a mulch can help to prevent evaporation.

 

• Similarly; keep an eye open for signs of pests and disease.

 

• Ensure that Dahlias plants are well staked and tied in.

 

• Cut back Alchemilla mollis stems after flowering.

 

• Collect Anacyclus, Dictamnus and Eremurus seeds if required.

 

• Trim Buxus (Box) and take cuttings if required.

 

Week No. 35 - 26th to 1st Sept

 

• Plant out Abelia, Aquilegia, Auricula, Azalea, Berberis, Camellia, Campanula, Ceanothus, Convallaria, Cornus,

Cranesbill / Geranium, Crocus, Delphinium, Desfontainia, Endymon, Galanthus / Snowdrops, Geum, Hostas, Houtuynia,

Iris reticulata, Kniphofia, Lavender, Lonicera, Lunaria, Meconopsis, Paeony, Pulsatilla, Rhodohypoxis, Verbascum,

Phlox (alpine), Rhododendrons,

 

• Cut down Aconitum, Astrantia, Avena, Crocosmia, Deutzia, Eremurus, if they have finished flowering.

 

• Collect seeds if required.

 

• Layer Jasmine nudiflorum.

 

• Divide and replant Astrantia, Endymon, Paeony, plants if necessary.

 

• Prune single flowering shrub roses once flowering is completed.

 

• Prepare containers with Winter / Spring flowering plants.

 

• Prepare new rose bed if required.

 

• Move established Azalea, Rhododendrons, if required.

 

• Protect Dahlia flowers from the elements.

 

• Mulch Azalea, Rhododendrons,