28 Homes & gardens
www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
Finally Our Summer Is Nearly Here And Plants Are Now Growing At A Fast Rate Trying To Catch Up Following Our Cold Spring Our main show event of the year ‘Chelsea Flower Show’ has been and gone. This year we introduced three new varieties ‘Dunham Massey’, ‘Gisela’s Delight’ and ‘Pippin’. These are wonderful additions to our world famous collection of over 1000 different varieties of the nation’s favourite flower. To keep your roses looking healthy this year, remember to keep them well watered in dry spells and feed with a liquid feed of Maxicrop seaweed with sequested iron or Tomorite. Regular spraying every 14 days with different fungicides such as Systhane Fungus Fighter and Fungus Clear will also help keep diseases at bay. To control pests spray with Provardo ultimate bug killer. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s precautions.
As flowers fade, keep deadheading as this will promote new growth on repeat flowering varieties to produce the second crop of flowers later in the year. Shrubs and perennials are flowering well, but need dead-heading, pruning and feeding to maintain structure and growth. Keep beds regularly hoed or handweeded and apply a general fertiliser. Water when necessary, especially hanging baskets and containers. Some perennials give ‘bigger’ results if dis-budded early especially dahlias. Dead heading tidies plants and promotes more flowering. Keep staking tall perennials.
Don’t forget climbing plants can easily get out of hand, so tie in often.
and open gardens for enjoyment and inspiration.
Prune long shoots of Wisteria to 30cm (12in).
Visit nurseries and garden centres to gain knowledge and ideas for your own garden and also to pick up the odd bargain or two.
Early summer flowering clematis (Group 2) can be deadheaded to tidy plants and promote a second flush of growth and flowers. Summer prune apple trees and thin overcrowded fruit. Protect fruit and vulnerable vegetables with suitable materials. Pick ripening fruit regularly to encourage the crop to develop better and prevent rots. Keep picking vegetables as and when required, but replace quickly for a successional crop. Feed when watering. In dry spells, don’t cut lawns too close. Many shrubs and perennials can be multiplied by taking cuttings now. Remember to ventilate glasshouses and give a thought to shading and keep up with making those regular sowings of leafy salads and carrots so they crop all summer. Finally, sit and relax in your own creation. Get out when you can to visit shows
June 2013
Something that can be gained in one visit Peter Beales Classic Rose and Plant Centre and be inspired by looking around our three acres of display gardens in full flower of roses, perennials and shrubs. Don’t forget our 3rd Rose Festival on the 22nd /23rd June including a mini rose show open to anyone to take part with prizes. Download an entry form from our website.