Later in the month there is a definite chill in the air, and our short summer is coming to an end. However, this can be a most beautiful time of the year. There is absolutely nothing more thrilling than a cool, sunny September morning. The plants seem to be standing to attention as if startled…
August can be a bit disappointing as many plants have reached or passed their peak and suddenly the garden can be bereft of colour. Don’t feel you can’t sneak a few flowering pots into the gaps in the borders. It’s a quick fix, but it works and you can see if you want to make…
Plant Management Keep looking out for pests and diseases. Aphids, red spider mites, whitefly, sawfly and caterpillars are all among the pests to look for as before. Now is the time to keep an eye out for conditions such as potato blight and powdery mildew. You can spray outdoor plants with a fungicide as a…
One of the most common questions I get is when to prune hedges, and how to control their size. I like to keep things straightforward , so start by establishing a few facts about your hedge. First of all – is your hedge evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous? Does it grow vigorously? Do you need it…
July and August are wonderful months when real harvesting starts from your allotment or your productive garden. I really look forward to my Blackcurrants and Redcurrants, which are the first of my fruits to be ready. I have an abundant quantity and each year I have to decide what to do with them. This year…
Now that the weather has turned here in Scotland, the slugs and snails are back on the job. They’ve been sheltering from the sun in the soil and cool damp places all summer, leaving our Hostas and Dahlias blissfully untouched. Not so much now – I can’t believe how many I’m picking off my plants and…