-
Buy
Half-hardy bedding plants if you haven't grown your own. If you have
grown your own in the greenhouse and they are getting too big, slow
them down by placing outside during the day but remember to bring them
in at night or they may be damaged by frost.
-
Stake
the stems of any tall herbaceous plants as they develop. This is particularly
important for such plants as Delphiniums and Hollyhocks.
-
Remove
the side shoots of Sweet Peas if they are to be used for exhibition
purposes.
-
Plant
outdoor Chrysanthemums in the beds prepared previously.
- Take cuttings of
herbaceous plants such as lupins, delphiniums, asters and salvias to increase
your displays.
- Cut back Alpines
that have grown straggly, particularly aubretia and arabis so that new
shoots will grow to carry next years flowers. Rooted stems can be potted
up and grown on. Top dress the beds with coarse grit. If the plants prefer
an acid soil, use chipped bark instead.
- If honeysuckle has
become too straggly and woody, cut it down to about 1 foot (30cm) above
the ground to rejuvenate it.
- Use the tips of young
deciduous shrubs for cuttings.
- Thin out seedlings
of annuals to at least 3 inches (8cm) apart.
- Take cuttings of
dahlias from the basal shoots but protect them from frost.
- Plant evergreen shrubs.
- Feed established
shrubs.
-
Sow
half-hardy annuals directly where they are to grow.
-
Thin
out seedlings of hardy annuals sown earlier.
-
Stop
outdoor Chrysanthemums by pinching out the young centre of each plant.
This will encourage bushier growth.
-
Tie
in new shoots of rambler roses.
- Sow seeds of herbaceous
plants such as delphiniums, lupins, achillea, gaillardia, penstemon and
coreopsis.
- Pinch out the tendrils
of sweet peas that are to be grown as cordons.
- Dead head tulips
in preparation for lifting.
- Give bedding plants
that are still in their pots, a weekly liquid feed.
- Trim winter flowering
heathers and apply a feed. Top up the mulch to preserve moisture and encourage
new shoots to root. Once rooted, these can then be cut off and transplanted.
- Ensure that all bulbous
plants (daffodils etc.) have been deadheaded but leave the foliage to
die back naturally. This may seem a little untidy but will ensure that
the bulb stores all the required nutrients for flowers the following year.
- Sow biennial seeds
such as wallflowers for next spring.
- Lift tulip bulbs
to dry and then place in storage.
- Clear Wallflowers
and other spring flowering plants.
- Dig over the beds
and incorporate plenty of organic matter to help retain moisture.
- Now is the time to
plant out summer bedding plants. Keep well watered.
- Prune Clematis Montana
as soon as it has finished flowering.
- Lift and divide Polyanthus
and replant.
- Plant out rooted
Dahlia cuttings.
- Sow seeds of Alyssum
Saxatile and Aubretia.
- Check roses and border
plants for signs of attack by aphids. Spray if needed.
