Tips for August 

Trees and Shrubs:

Shrubs that have already flowered will benefit from pruning this month. Start by removing any damaged, weak or unproductive wood, then clip any untidy fresh growth. Any large wounds made should be treated with ‘Prune and Seal’ to ensure diseases do not enter.

It is a good time to start propagating Heathers. The short side shoots can easily be rooted in two parts of ‘Kelkay Horticultural Grit Sand or Sharp Sand’ with one part of Irish Moss Peat.

You can now make cuttings from many shrubs using semi ripe wood. You can do this using ‘Growing Success Organic Rooting Powder’ and John Innes Seed and Cutting Compost’, in a propagator.

When planting new shrubs and trees, use ‘Rootgrow’ in the hole, as it gives your plant a better root system.

Climbers and Wall Plants:

Tie in new growth on climbing plants using ‘Tenax Tree Ties’. Train wall shrubs such as Ceanothus and Pyracantha by tying them to supports. Any new shoots growing forward need to be trimmed back.

Wisteria needs to be cut back as it will get untidy very quickly.

Roses:

Shoots on rambling roses that have flowers need to be cut back down to the base. Train the new shoots to take the place of the old ones using ‘Tenax Plant Ties’. If there are a few new shoots then some of the stronger old ones can be kept, but cut their side shoot back to 4 to 6 inches.

Dead-heading is essential to encourage more flowering. Keep checking for any pests and diseases. If you do need to treat you can use ‘Bayer Garden Multirose’. If you are organic you can plant Lavenders nearby as they are a complimentary plant and will keep most pests off.

In dry weather it is an idea to mulch around the roses with ‘Dunston Hall Decorative Bark’, as dryness at the roots can lead to disorders and diseases.

Beds and Borders:

Keep dead-heading tubs and baskets and any other bedding plants in the garden. This will encourage more flowers on plants such as Dahlia, Geraniums, Asters, etc.

Now that we are halfway through the season it is a good time to feed your tubs and baskets with ‘Miracle Gro Organic Choice Bloom Booster’.

Bulbs:

Spring bulbs that were lifted in early summer can now be planted using ‘Bulb Fibre’, as can new bulbs (available in the garden centre from the second week of August).

Rock and Water Gardens:

Many plants in the rockery will now be producing new shoots after the early trim. These shoots will provide excellent cuttings. The use of ‘Growing Success Organic Rooting Powder’ will get them off to a good start.

Old flowering stems in the water garden should be cut back to prevent any from seeding. If the pond water is turning green due to sunlight you can use ‘Interpret Extract of Barley Straw’.

Lawns:

Towards the end of the month you can start to seed a new lawn, or over seed worn patches in an existing lawn. We have many different types of lawn seed, but we recommend ‘Mr Fothergills Lawn Seed (Hardwearing)’ – as it is “hardwearing”.

Vegetables:

A final sowing of Beetroot and Carrots can be made in the open ground. Brussels Sprouts and other tall vegetable plants may need supporting by canes.

Greenhouse and Frame:

Cyclamen tubers that were lifted earlier this year can be started into growth again. Knock them from the pot and plant in ‘Dunston Hall Multipurpose Compost’. Water well and place them on staging.