Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Plant Shrubs, Conifers & Hedging - Now that we are almost in September now is a good time to plant new shrubs giving them time to get established before winter. It's also a good idea to give the ground a good turning over and incorporating some organic matter before planting.

2. Tie in Chrysanthemums  - Chrysanthemums should be putting on some good tall growth now so it's always a good idea to tie them into their stakes for support, especially with all this windy weather we've been having recently!

3. Remove Weed from Ponds - Pond weed can increase quickly so it's a good idea to keep an eye on it and pull it out if you spot any, such as blanket weed which can soon take over.

4. Catch Earwigs - Earwigs can soon make an appearance at this time of year and seem to love Dahlia's. To catch them place small upturned plant pots on-top of the plant stakes to catch them, check each morning and dispose as you wish.

5. Dig Up Hardy Annuals - As much as we love them we don't always want them to multiply around the garden, so now is a good time to dig them up before they set seed.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Pull Out Tired Annuals - Now that were reaching the end of Summer and experiencing rough weather some Summer Annuals will be looking past their best. Pull out tired bedding to give your garden and pots a tidier look. You can replace them with Wallflowers that are ready for planting out.

2. Prick Out Winter Bedding - You will have seen from my last post the Mail Order Winter Bedding is starting to arrive. If yours does make sure you prick it out straight away to give it the best chance.

3. Sow Herbs - Sow herbs such as Parsley now to keep you going through Winter.

4. Close the Greenhouse - Temperatures are starting to drop on a night now so keep an eye on the temperature where you are, and remember to close Vents / Windows on a night if it gets cold.

5. Apply Lawn Feed - Prepare the grass for Winter with a feed which will also help promote strong root growth.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Winter Arrivals ...

Good Morning!

It's been a bit quiet over here recently as during this time of Summer all you can do really is enjoy the garden and the occasional maintenance that I share in the Weekly Checklist.

However yesterday there was something to tell you all about, the arrival of some of my Winter Bedding!

Of course trying to find space in the GH around the Tomatoes was a challenge but I managed to squeeze them all in! First up are the 'Bellis - Pomponette' which I ordered from T&M.

They also arrived with the 'Primrose - Rosebud' Plugs! 

You wouldn't think there were 70 plug in this little tray would you ...

Just like with the Summer Bedding you need to make sure that you prick out your plugs straight away into fresh compost and trays.

I still have some Viola's to arrive but hopefully I will be able to make some more space before they arrive!

Before I go I wanted to leave you with a few little photo's I haven't had the chance to share with you all yet.

First up are the 'Cucamelons' and if you are growing these too then they should be about ready too, make sure you pick them when they are the size of a grape and are still firm.

My last remaining Hollyhock (thanks to the hungry bunny earlier in the year) finally flowered last week and I was pleased to see that it has lovely white flowers.

The garden has also experienced some winged visitors which seem to be enjoying the flowers too :)

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Trim Conifer & Evergreen Hedges - Now is a good time to trim your hedges, especially conifers.

You can also trim the top of the hedges to neaten them up.

2. Order Bulbs - Now is a good time to buy and plant your Autumn bulbs. Now is also a great time to get orders in for Spring bulbs such as Tulips as most companies are releasing their new range and it's always good to place an order before they sell out! For next year I am getting some 'Black Parrot' Tulips.

3. Take Cuttings - If you haven't done so already now is a good time to take cuttings from Perennials and bedding plants ready for next year. Not only does this give you more plants but cuttings are a lot easier to over-winter than large plants if you only have a small GH.

4. Replace Bedding - Bedding that is looking tired, such as in Hanging Baskets, can do with a new look. For example a handful of my Baskets were looking rather tired and bedraggled so I simply replaced them with some Fuschia's I had in pots for an instant freshen up! 

Bedding is also rather cheap in GC's at this time of year so you don't need to worry about spending a fortune if you haven't got anything by hand.

You could also replace tired bedding in borders with your Winter Bedding (e.g. Wallflowers) which if you've sown yourself should be ready to be planted out. I however don't have the space just yet! lol

5. Help Tomatoes - Help Tomatoes ripen by taking off the lower leaf stems on the plant and any that don't look too healthy, this will allow more light to the fruits.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Weekly Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!

It's Monday so it is time for another Weekly Garden Checklist. 

Incase this is the first time you have seen this particular themed post, it's a quick list of jobs you can be doing in the garden this week.

Let's get started!

1. Deadhead Buddleia's - Buddleia's should be getting into full swing of flowering now and the best way to keep them going, like many plants, is by dead-heading once the flowers have started to fade. This also helps stop the spread of seeds as they are notorious for popping up in places you don't want them to! 

2. Weeds - Weeds will also still be flourishing in this weather so keep checking between and behind plants for them, they will be fighting with the plants you do want for water and nutrients in the ground so pull them out when you see them.

3. Collect Seeds - Now is the time to collect seeds from your favourite plants, such as Astrantia's. All you need to do is make sure it's a dry day and shake the heads over a little brown bag to collect the seed. Alliums should also be ready now and you can either collect them like I have just mentioned or leave the heads so the wind can carry them around the garden.

4. Prune Summer Flowering Shrubs - Shrubs such as Philadelphus will benefit from a summer prune right now to encourage flower stems for next year. Cut back the stems that have finished flowering this year by about a third and if you want to you can also cut back some of the old woody stems (approx 1 in 3) down to just above ground level to encourage new growth next year.

5. Identify Leaf Problems - Leaf problems such as Black Spot, Powdery Mildew and Fuschia Rust are quite common at this time of year. I have had a few cases of the latter two in my garden! Simply check your plants leaves each day and if you spot anything, pull them off and dispose of (but not on a compost heap!). 

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Replacement Planting ...

Good Morning!

This week my Sweet Pea Wigwam got really bad Powdery Mildew and had only had about 3 or 4 flowers on it for the past 2 weeks. So instead of it getting worse and bothering me for the rest of the Summer I decided to bite the bullet and get rid!

I decided to replace it with something completely different, A 'Salix - Flmaingo'! Before though I completely emptied the tub of the previous soil and replaced it with some crocs at the bottom and then a layer of John Innes no.3 mixed with some grit for added drainage.

The Salix came in a rather small container so instead of planting it straight into the main pot I am potting it on gradually, here you can see I have potted it into a large pot, with John Innes no.3 and placed it in the centre.

I bought another Chocolate Cosmos to go in the pot but because it needs to be over-wintered I potted this on into a larger pot too so that I can lift it out later in the year. I also filled the rest of the tub with more John Innes. Before going onto the next part I watered the plants in extremely well, the Salix needs to be well watered so a full watering can was used.

To finish off the tub I added some simple white Viola's and a top layer of multi-purpose compost. 

Earlier in the week I also bought a Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' which I've planted in a tub alongside, however it will most likely be planted elsewhere later in the year when I have made my mind up where.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX