Hello and welcome to our Newsletter

Well what a summer it has been! Record temperatures and hardly any rain until very recently have created challenging conditions for gardeners.

Some of you may be concerned about how your gardens have fared well don't be disheartened. Plants are resilient and tougher than we might give them credit for. Shrubs and trees sometimes drop some leaves to reduce water loss and herbaceous perennials may have gone over prematurely but look closely at the base of the plant and you will probably see some fresh shoots waiting to grow away. 

If you do have some gaps to fill, even if you're not ready to plant yet, it is a good time to get planning so why not take advantage of our August Sale with 20% off Hardy Plants 

• Cut back tired-looking herbaceous perennials that have finished flowering such as hardy Geraniums. They should at least give you a fresh flush of foliage and you never know maybe some more flowers too. Just look for the new shoots at the base to cut back to. 
• Trim Lavender back by about and inch before the end of the month even if they are still flowering. This will help promote new growth and prevent them from becoming woody. But remember not to cut back too far into any bare stems.
• Continue to deadhead Roses and feed those in pots. Depending on variety they may well produce another flush of flowers. Leave any hips though as a tasty treat for the birds
• Don't depend on rain to water new plants or those in containers. Continue to monitor these carefully
• Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to move tender plants indoors or into the greenhouse if night-time temperatures get close to freezing. This may not happen until next month but be prepared.
• Start thinking about which Spring flowering Bulbs you would like to grow. Maybe look at what pots you have available.  We will have more ideas for you in next month's newsletter.
• Keep feeding tomato plants and remove the leaves from the lower 3rd of the plant and thin out excess foliage above so they can put their energies into setting and ripening fruit
• Early varieties of Apple may be ready for harvesting soon. If you plan to store them make sure you have prepared a cool, dry but well aerated place for them. A garden shed is ideal. 
• Keep on top of weeds. If things have got away from you a bit don't worry just concentrate on the key areas you look at. Keeping the vegetable patch weed free is very important as weeds will compete with your veggies and affect crop yields 
• Take cuttings from Pelargoniums and Fuchsias this month. There's enough time for them to establish good roots to see them over the winter for you to pot up next spring.