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July 2008
July is traditionally a month
spent heavily feeding and watering your plants. After a very dry June most
plants are suffering from a lack of water and if plants become dry and
‘distressed’ (although deep rooted plants like roses and flowering shrubs are
less likely to be affected) they are more prone to a whole host of diseases.
To help
prevent this situation occurring give plants a good soaking once a week (with a
watering can), especially if the sun is out in force. Once you have thoroughly
soaked the soil, mulch with bark to help retain in the moisture.
Lawn
care
Grass is
especially susceptible to any change in weather conditions. If your lawn is the
setting for a season of Summer garden parties, make sure you keep it regularly
fed and weeded if you want it to continue to look at its best.
Feed and
weed when the grass is growing, not when it has just been cut. If the weather
ifs particularly dry remember to heighten the blades on the lawnmower so that
the roots are not exposed to the sun.
Feed
the shrubs
After
flowering, shrubs are in particular need of a feed to replace the goodness taken
out by the flowering process. Use a good quality liquid feed and remember to
dead head if you want to be sure of a healthy display of flowers this season.
Fight
the fungi
Humid
conditions can also cause fungal problems in the garden. Roses are prone to
blackspot and rust which can spread with alarming speed. Keep an eye on fruit
trees as well and watch out for the tell-tale sign of orangy-brown spots on the
leaves which can signal the onset of a full bout of scab.
Hanging Baskets
Hopefully
you are reaping the rewards of all that hard work at the beginning of the year
spent putting together hanging baskets. Don’t forget to keep removing dead
flowers and to apply a liquid feed regularly.
Plan
ahead
If you are
thinking of starting a new rose bed in the Autumn, now is the time to do your
research on the colour, fragrance and growing trends of the plethora of
varieties currently on the market. Visiting a rose centre where you can witness
at first hand the diverse range of roses to choose from is far better (and more
enjoyable!) than poring over a pile of books!
Holiday care
Don’t forget
to arrange for the care of your plants while you are away. Ask a neighbour to
water your tubs and hanging baskets whilst you are enjoying the sun on a faraway
beach!
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