Deadhead flowers, and sow late summer peas and beans this month.

Words: Jane Bellerby

FLOWER GARDEN TASKS

• Keep the gardens watered to minimise stress on plants. Stressed plants are more likely to succumb to predation and disease.

• As flowers finish, dehead, give a light liquid or compost feed and a good water to encourage a late summer/autumnal flush of colour.

• Weed control is always important to stop seeding which increases the weed burden on the garden (and the gardener).

• Sowing annual and perennial seeds now means they can be planted out either before autumn or potted on and held over winter ready for spring planting.

• Have a good look at what is doing well in other gardens in your area. If the heat is withering your garden consider planting tougher ornamentals more suited to your conditions.

VEGETABLE GARDEN TASKS

• Harvesting produce as it matures, and eating, sharing or preserving it in some way will be a regular activity over the next couple of months.

• Think ahead and prepare ground, then plant seeds for autumn and winter eating. Options include broccoli, kale, cabbage and cauliflower, lettuce, celery, and loose-leaved and cos lettuces.

• Protect brassicas against butterflies with fine mesh or a BT spray.

• Small sowings of late peas and beans can go in this month.

• Keep the garden well watered. I know I’ve said it a million times but it’s vital plants get a deep watering about once a week in hot dry conditions.

• Preserve and dry what you can or share your excess fresh food with others.

• This could be a good time for getting a piglet or two to fatten. With autumn approaching there will probably be excess fruit as well.

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