AUGUST IN THE GARDEN
With wetter weather around it is harder to get out in the garden, a good time to do some planning with a cup of tea in hand! Frosts and snow will be about in some areas, when in doubt cover and protect all your hard work.
Key Points
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Now is a good time to prepare the ground for sowing new lawns in September. Spray out any perennial weeds with Roundup, dig over and level ground, removing stones, roots, and other debris.
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Camellias that have finished flowering can be pruned back and fed with Tui Acid Plant Food
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A protective Copper based spray can be applied to deciduous trees and roses to reduce the risk of fungal diseases over spring and summer months.
The Edible Garden
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With spring just around the corner now is the time to start preparing the soil for planting out summer vegetables and fruits
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Dig soil over and apply generous quantities of good organic compost.
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Now is a good time to apply garden lime - refer to packaging for application rates
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Start sowing seeds in trays for spring planting - a lightweight, portable greenhouse is perfect for this
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Seed potatoes can be planted this month
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Potatoes grow best in a warm sunny position
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They prefer a free draining soil with lots of organic matter
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Make sure seed potatoes have a lot of good sprouts before planting
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Plant Rhubarb now - dig in lots of compost and sheep pellets
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Citrus trees can be planted now in milder climates
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Citrus is the most popular fruit tree for the home garden
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They like a warm, sunny position, and a free draining soil
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Feed is spring and autumn with a fruit tree and citrus fertiliser and water well in drier months
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Strawberries - Now's the time to be planting strawberries.
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Strawberries like good fertile soil so dig in lots of top quality compost before planting. A handful of Blood and Bone in the planting hole and a top dressing of general fertiliser will get them off to a flying start.
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Remember to water in well after planting.
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Strawberries look great in strawberry pots on the deck - easy picking in the summer!
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Vege Garden - still lots to do in the vegetable garden this month.
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Spinach, cabbage, winter lettuce, bok choy, should all be part of your winter garden.
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Broad beans are a great winter garden crop - plant seeds now into prepared soil. Provide some support as they do get reasonably tall (use twigs and small branches from your pruning in the garden).
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Broad beans are easy care, and you will have delicious young beans in October / November.
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Shallots - sweeter than garlic, milder than onions. Great in stews and casseroles, or roasted whole. Shallots are easy to grow and take up little space in the garden.
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Rhubarb - Nothing beats the taste of homegrown rhubarb with your muesli or weet-bix for breakfast!
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Rhubarb is planted by 'Crowns' which is available this month.
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Rhubarb plants are heavy feeders so dig in plenty of top quality compost at planting time and follow up with general garden fertiliser at regular intervals through the year.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING
THIS MONTH
Citrus trees can be planted now in milder climates
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Citrus is the most popular fruit tree for the home garden
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They like a warm, sunny position, and a free draining soil
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Feed is spring and autumn with a fruit tree and citrus fertiliser and water well in drier months
The Flower Garden
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Dahlia and Begonia tubers, and Gladioli bulbs, are all in store this month - plant now for a riot of summer colour
Roses
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If you haven't completed your rose pruning it is not too late but try to have it done as soon as possible this month.
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It is a good time to plant roses as it gives them time to settle and put on root and leaf growth before spring and summer flowering.
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Roses are now as popular as ever and are unsurpassed for summer colour and fragrance. There is a rose to suit every situation - groundcover, patio pots, covering walls and trellis, adding colour to the border year after year
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Good soil preparation is the key this month, prior to spring planting.
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Dig soil over well, breaking down any clods.
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Add in lots of good organic compost.
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A dressing of lime can also be added now, especially in vegetable gardens. This gives the lime time to react before adding other fertilisers in the spring.
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Remember not to apply lime around plants which like 'acid' soil conditions - Camellias, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Ericas."
Soil Preperation
The Lawn
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Take advantage of the new spring growth and fertiliser your lawn now. Apply evenly to the whole lawn and water in.
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