After a really hot and dry beginning of Summer it could feel like the hot weather has left us.
But do not despair! Summer is not over yet and there are a few things to do around the garden...
Dead-head bedding plants and perennial plants to stop them self-seeding and to encourage further flowering for autumn colour.
Cut back herbs now to encourage a new flush of tasty leaves you can harvest before the first frost.
Trim your Lavender plants after they've finished flowering to keep them compact.
Collect ripened seeds and store for next year. Leaving some seed heads in place can be attractive, adding architectural interest as well as allowing the plant to self-seed in the surrounding soil.
Cut back faded perennials to keep borders tidy.
Remember to feed your soil whether in pots or in the garden - a little bit of seaweed extract will help prolong flowering.
Remember to provide food and water for the birds and wildlife in your garden.
TO DIG OR NOT TO DIG?
Save time and effort by helping natural processes to workwith you: undisturbed soil can develop its own aerated structure so vegetables/flowers grow more easily and weeds grow less.
Why "no dig"?: Fertility developing on the surface of beds is a copy of natural processes (forest floor, animal excretion on pastures) and works really well for vegetable and flower growing. Worm activity and soil fauna is encouraged. The soil structure is preserved. And it is a lot easier than digging - all that is needed is a little patience!
So "no dig" saves time, gives bigger harvests, is ecologically beneficial and keeps carbon in the soil!
Please note that to create a garden straight away (in for example very heavy clay) we do use Farmyard Manure once to nourish the soil. We aim to do this a few months before planting so the soil will have had time to restructure itself.
Now is the perfect time to buy bulbs - inexpensive and always quite striking!
We are big fans of geetee bulbs - A family-owned business that has been selling bulbs wholesale since 1961. We have been using them for years and their bulbs are always of the best quality.
What have we been up to?
Quite a few new designs this year... and of course still looking after the ones we built and the established ones we maintain ...
If you would like to discuss your garden project or arrange an initial consultation please contact Lola by email or telephone
(E) info@blackdahliagardendesign.com
(T - Lola) +44(0)7968 356189
Dead-head bedding plants and perennial plants to stop them self-seeding and to encourage further flowering for autumn colour.
