July / August 2024 – From the Potting Shed
This year’s strange weather continues to throw us a curveball. Cooler nights into June has meant some plants are delayed – dahlias in question yet others are enjoying the cooler fresher weather. I have found that the roses are lasting longer and so are the herbaceous plants. Whatever the plant, remember to continue to deadhead to keep the plants flowering longer.
Lawns are greener than last year due to the wetter winter and your now mow may regime. Keep the blades higher to continue the trend.
Cold nights will cause the flowers on sweet peas to drop off so do not worry and hopefully they will be happier as the nights get warmer. Other plants that rely on pollinators have not produced as much fruit this spring, again due to the cold weather. To help this it is always a good idea to have plants growing around the fruit bushes/trees that encourage pollinating insects.
Start thinking about sowing for late autumn and winter salad crops. I will be planting out the late sown French beans and sweet corn early in July to give me a nice fresh supply in the autumn. Plenty of garden compost will be added to the soil to hold in the moisture and feed the roots. It is only necessary to water fruit and vegetables when the crop is developing and again a good soaking is better than a little shower every night.