Janay’s Green Fingers

Whichever way you look at it, the days are becoming shorter or the nights are becoming longer….

Gardening jobs for September:

Around the garden:-

> Plant Spring bulbs. Although this is a traditional task for many to do over the August Bank Holiday weekend, planting Spring bulbs in September is absolutely fine.
> Trim hedges.
> Net ponds to keep out Autumn leaves.
> Divide overgrown perennials.
> Plant new perennials.

Lawns:

> Mow less frequently and raise the height of cut as the growth rate starts to slow into autumn. This will help the grass withstand the last of the warm, dry weather plus make it more resilient to being walked on when wet weather arrives. A common mistake is to cut grass short as people think this will keep lawns shorter through the winter. Temperature regulates speed of growth so cutting grass too short when not necessary ends up scalping the lawns and making them patchy.
> Clear Autumn debris regularly to prevent pests and diseases.
> Add grass clippings to the compost. Mix in dry “brown” compost such as dead leaves, thin cardboard and small twigs to prevent wet clumps of rotting grass clippings rather than compost.
> If necessary, scarify, aerate and apply an Autumn lawn feed. This only needs to be done every couple of years.

Kitchen Garden:

> Continue harvesting apples, courgettes, cucumbers, marrows, nuts, pears and tomatoes etc.
> Lift main-crop potatoes and plant seed potatoes for Christmas. In areas where the soil can become heavy with little to no drainage when wet, either mix in some sharp sand and peat free multi purpose compost into the soil. Alternatively, try using containers rather than planting directly in to the ground.
> Sow winter lettuces.
> Last chance to sow spring cabbages
> Last chance to plant strawberry plants from this years runners.

Star plants for September:

> Dahlia
> Michealmas Daisy
> Sedum
> Goldenrod
> Sea Holly
> Chrysanthemum

I hope these tips are helpful. Most importantly - enjoy your garden.

Summer is progressing and July is often one of the hottest months meaning it’s time to sit out, enjoy your garden and admire the work you - or your gardener☝️ - have been doing.

July gardening jobs:-

Around the garden:

> Prune shrubs that flowered in early summer.
> Deadhead flowers as they fade to prolong growth and new flowers.
> Clip conifer hedges.
> Plant autumn flowering bulbs.
> Water bedding plants and hanging baskets regularly and deadhead to encourage longer blooms.

Lawns:

> Mow established lawns frequently. Raise the mowers cutting height slightly especially in hot weather. Leave the grass clippings on lawns during hot and/or dry spells as they act as a mulch and retain moisture.
> Mow new lawns every week or as required, progressively lowering the height of the blades until they’re back at the normal level. In hot weather, keep the blades high or stop mowing for a while.
> Ant nests can hinder mowing. Try to live with them if possible, as ants help to support garden biodiversity. But if necessary, before you start mowing, brush away the soil mounds above nests on a dry day.
> Water new lawns during dry spells using collected rainwater or grey water however established lawns don’t need watering. The grass will die back but will recover once it rains again.

Kitchen Garden:

> Water crops frequently using collected rainwater or grey water.
> Pick raspberries and currents
> Lift new potatoes, garlic and onions.
> Peg down strawberry runnners to make new plants.
> Pinch side shoots our from tomato plants and the tops when four trusses have formed. Feed and water regularly.
> Pinch out runner beans when they reach the top of the canes.
> Start harvesting herbs for drying.

Star Plants:

> Hollyhock
> Sunflower
> Petunia
> Poppy
> Verbena
> Delphinium
> Cornflower
> Zinnia

Make plans to ensure your plants are cared for if you are taking holidays during the month.

I hope these tips are helpful.

June 21St is the longest day of the year and the extra light and warmth encourages the garden to grow. This also means w**ds will sprout up from nowhere so you - or your gardener 😬 - need to keep on top of them by removing them regularly.

June gardening jobs:-

Around the garden:

> Prune Spring flowering shrubs such as Deutzia and Philadelphus.
> Tidy and cut back Spring flowering perennials.
> Clip evergreen hedges such as privet and box.
> Sprinkle fertiliser around roses, shrubs and perennials.
> Lift & deadhead overgrown clumps of bulbs
> Plant out Summer bedding plants including hanging baskets. Water regularly.

Lawns:

> Mow lawns regularly and trim edges.
> Energise lawns with a liquid feed.
> Water newly seeded or laid lawns.

Kitchen Garden:

> Harvest as your crops mature
> Peg down strawberry runnners to make new plants.
> Pinch side shoots our from tomato plants.
> Plant Winter brassicas and keep them protected from pests.

Caterpillars, aphids and other fly pests can be a problem at this time of year. Early infestations can be managed by hand removal. Remember that these insects form an important part of the garden food chain - if you're patient very often predators such as blue t**s, ladybirds, ants and wasps will sort out problems for you.

I hope these tips are helpful.

May: After the 6th wettest April on record, Summer is on its way! Be mindful, as we may still have some frosts during the early part of this month.

Gardening jobs for May:

Tip of the month - take care when strimming long grass by fences, hedges, around trees etc as wildlife may still be hibernating.

Around the garden:-

> Last chance for planting evergreen shrubs.
> Protect young growth from slugs and snails.
> Prune “Clematis Montana” after flowering.
> Keep on top of w**ding.
> Lift and divide Spring flowering perennials.
> Ensure birds have food and water

Lawns:

Officially “no mow” May but our lawns still need care.

> If you prefer a neat lawn in May, mow lawns regularly. Perhaps leave a section of your lawn unmown so wildflowers can grow and provide pollen, nectar and shelter to insects.
> ​​Still avoid mowing where flower bulbs are in your lawn. This allows the leaves to photosynthesise.
> Continue to rake out moss.
> Feed established lawns with a specific Spring nitrogen rich fertiliser
> If you have a compost heap or bin, add grass clippings in thin layers. Too much all at once is likely to cause wet, poorly aerated conditions, resulting in smelly slime rather than compost.

Kitchen Garden:

> Thin out earlier sown vegetables.
> Continue sowing and planting vegetables outside but be mindful that we may still have frosts.
> As the days become longer and warmer, open doors, vents or windows in greenhouses but close them again at night. This provides ventilation and prevents plants from overheating.
> Earth up potatoes as they grow, to protect early shoots from frost damage and ensure the developing potatoes aren’t exposed to light, which turns them green and poisonous.

May Star Plants:

> Japanese Wisteria
> Clematis
> Oriental Poppy
> Allium
> Bluebell
> Perennial Foxglove

I hope these tips are helpful. Most importantly - enjoy your garden.

April: the month of April showers although it feels like we’ve been having them since January!!!! ☔️☔️

Gardening jobs for April:

Tip of the month - save some dandelions in your garden to help early bees.

Around the garden:-

> Stake tall growing perennials.
> Protect young growth from slugs and snails.
> Prune Spring flowering shrubs eg forsythia after they have finished flowering to encourage new growth for flowering next year.
> Dig out w**ds.
> Last chance to plant Summer flowering bulbs.
> Ensure birds have food and water

Lawns:

> Mow lawns when necessary whenever the grass is growing – the aim is to maintain a constant height throughout the year.
> ​​If you have flower bulbs in your lawn, wait at least six weeks after flowering before you mow the area. This allows the leaves to photosynthesise. Feed the bulbs for a good display next spring.
> Feed established lawns with a specific Spring nitrogen rich fertiliser
> If you have a compost heap or bin, add grass clippings in thin layers. Too much all at once is likely to cause wet, poorly aerated conditions, resulting in smelly slime rather than compost.
> Straighten lawn edges and - if required - create a “gutter” at the edge of your lawn to prevent it growing into your borders or onto your patio.

Kitchen Garden:

> Continue sowing and planting vegetables outside but be mindful that we may still have frosts.

April Star Plants:

> Lily of the Valley
> Aubretia
> Euphorbia
> Bellis
> Rhododendron
> Prunus Ornamental Cherry Trees

I hope these tips are helpful. Most importantly - enjoy your garden.