July can be hot, dry, sunny and by now most of that spring moisture has left the soil surface and plants are having to find water deeper down. If you have planted anything this year then your plants may need a little extra help to get established so don’t forget to water and feed if necessary too. A thorough soaking is always best as the water permeates deeper into the soil encouraging the roots to follow – the deeper you can encourage those roots to go the less watering you will have to do in the long term.
Plant of the Month – June
June is one of the highlights of the gardening year, so many plants in flower with their foliage still looking vibrant and green. It’s a great time for getting out and getting some fresh inspiration by looking at what others have been up to in their own gardens. Check out The NGS Yellow Book Scheme where you will find some gardens local to you that open their gates for charity.
Plant of the Month – May
Gardens in May should still be full of the lush green growth of Spring with plants sending out fresh green foliage daily. There is plenty of moisture in the ground too which makes it a great time for planting as any new additions will have time to establish well before the heat of the summer. With The Malvern Sping Gardening Show and Chelsea both being held this month it’s also a great time for Gardening Shows too. If you are stuck for inspiration, then I would thoroughly recommend a trip to either where you will find plenty of ideas than can be transported back into your own gardens.
Plant of the Month – April 2018
The sweet smell of spring should now be evident in all our gardens. Our lawns may even have had their first trim of the year. It’s a cracking time of year with so many plants sending their new fresh growth skywards, with the changes in the garden noted almost daily. It’s also a time to ensure that your garden is ready for summer too. Any unfinished jobs that you didn’t get around to during the winter, should be done now to ensure that you are well prepared and ready for what the next few months may bring.
Plant of the Month – March 2018
More and more signs of life appear in the garden as March arrives, bringing with it some warmth and spring sunshine. If you look closely you can almost see spring arrive as the weeks pass us by and the garden shows signs of life again. It can be one of my favourite times of year as we leave the winter behind us. Don’t be fooled by those bright sunny spring days though, Winter hasn’t quite left us yet. Be mindful not to plant tender plants out too early and ensure that you have hardened off anything that has overwintered in the warmth of the greenhouse, before you transplant it out into the garden – there’s still the possibility of “Jack Frost” shocking your plants back into winter dormancy….
Plant of the Month – February
February can be one of the coldest months of the year but one of my favourites. The emerging spring bulbs and sweet-scented winter flowering shrubs provide a hint of what’s to come in the following year. Hopefully by now you will have completed all the work in preparation for spring and can sit back and wave good bye to the winter.
Plant of the Month – January
January, often dreary, is a time to retreat in front of the fire with the curtains closed and the central heating on. It is often a disappointing month in the gardening calendar too. However don’t beat yourself up about it too much, consider it a time for planning – in the warm with a cup of tea with the fire warming your toes.
Plant of the Month – December
December is often the bleakest month in the gardening calendar. Most plants have now retreated for the winter and the winter plants we rely on to bring a glimpse of colour during the dark Winter days are yet to show any sign of flower. With so many other things to keep us occupied this time of the year, our gardens are often forgotten until after the new year. It’s not a bad thing to have a bit of a break but just remember that being too sluggish through the winter creates a massive backlog of work to do come Spring. Its never a bad thing to tick off the odd job every now and then to ensure you are ready when spring arrives.
Plant of the Month – November
As Winter fast approaches, it’s not quite time to pack up the tools quite yet. There is still much to see and do in the garden and it’s the best time of year to start thinking about plans for next year while everything is still fresh in your mind. Don’t forget to take some time out though and take in all that lovely autumn awesomeness too.
Plant of the month – October
As we approach the winter it can often be a time for reflection in the garden, thinking about those parts of the garden that still need more thought and more work. It doesn’t have to be the end of the gardening year, by careful planning you can still provide a crescendo of colours for you to enjoy until the frosts knock it all back in November. It’s also time to start thinking about spring, as now is the time to start planting your spring bulbs. By combining a simple mix of narcissis, tulips and alliums, you will be able to provide a colourful combination of flower in the garden from March until June. A little tip would be to buy more than you think you need, as often these displays look better en masse rather than a few flowers dotted here and there through your borders. Also, only plant the smaller narcissi in your borders as the big trumpet daffs can often be a little overpowering and thuggish amongst your other border plants.
