August 2021
Spring is on the cusp so that means it’s almost rose pruning time!
Many people prune on the 1st of Jul but I usually leave mine until late July to mid- August.
I always feel terrible for the new shoots that grow in the warm weather, as we’ve had the last few days and then those same little shoots are blackened off by a crackerjack frost such as the “white-out” here this morning!
How to prune roses:
Make sure your secateurs are clean and sharp.
Cut back hard to encourage the plant to grow and flower more prolifically.
Remove all old wood, shorten young growth to an outward facing bud.
Remove all diseased, crossing and damaged branches.
Thin out interior branches to create airflow.
Put your clippings in a sealed bag and in the bin. Do not compost rose clippings as they can spread disease and prickles can be harmful.
Leave new roses alone. Let them get some growth on before attacking them.
Remember, Roses have been around since the day of the dinosaur and used to be pruned by the same creatures! Don’t stress too much!
Still too cold to go outside to plant spring herb and veggies?
How about sharing your sink space with some sprouts? Mung beans, alf alfa sprouts or a general salad bean mix can be grown in jars covered with a drainable fabric or in the containers purpose built.
The sprouts need to be rinsed well two to three times a day and the container needs to be drained well between waters.
Before you know it you will be eating healthy greenery in your salads or sandwiches.
Time to….
Check compost to make sure it’s not gluggy or too wet. If it is, add some dry material and stir.
Plant out cyclamens once flowering has finished. Or place the pot into a shaded garden bed on its side for the summer.
Check stored Dahlia tubers to ensure they are not drying out. If they are dry, cover with a layer of moist sand.
Repot and divide water lilies into a mix of pulverised cow manure and coarse river sand. Cover with gravel before submerging into water.
Check potted plants for bugs, remove any dry or dead leaves. Great time to take cuttings.
Start planting summer veg seeds on your window sill in small jiffy pots.
