Continue deadheading flowers. Prune rambling roses, start pruning in the 3rd year and remember that the rose flowers on the previous year’s wood. For lavender trim when the flowers have faded, don’t cut it so there are no green shoots, as lavender may not regrow from just woody stems. Remember lavender is a sun loving plant and likes at least 6 hours sun per day for it to flower at its best.
Prune Wisteria. Pruning is done twice a year, first in July or August and then in January or February. In August, look to cut back the long whippy tendrils the plant throws out, cutting back to five or six leaves. The objective is to slow leafy growth to concentrate on flowers.
Collect flower seeds on a dry day. August is a good month for collecting seeds. Collect seeds just before the plant is about to shed them. As plants begin to dry and turn brown, place a paper bag over the head of the flower head, cut off the stem and then tie the bag with string and store in a cool dry place. Leave for a couple of weeks and then check for loose seeds which should then be stored in airtight containers until ready for planting. Don’t forget to name them!
Attack slugs and snails. These are most gardener’s nightmare! Is there a way to get rid of them?
Most of us have tried crushed eggshells, pine bark mulch, copper tape, sharp horticultural grit, wool pellets, or pots of beer. Recent research shows that these methods are relatively ineffective for these slippery creatures.
The organic option to fend off slugs and snails is to encourage their natural predators into your garden by creating a haven for wildlife, such as birds and frogs.
Finally Nematodes are the organic grower’s biological weapon and probably the most effective way of killing pests such as slugs, vine weevil and ants – without using harmful toxic chemicals.
You can buy nematodes online. However, they aren’t necessarily cheap, and you do need to follow the very precise instructions on how to use them.
It is important to choose the correct nematode for the right type of pest. And to use them in the right conditions. The soil needs to be above 5C (and will remain so, even at night). The pests or their larvae need to be active.
Nematodes should be applied when light levels are low. They are light sensitive, so apply them in the early morning or dusk
Many thanks to Kathy Chattelle for creating this article.