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This is a perfect time to be thinking about taking cuttings of some short lived or tender plants that might not over-winter such as some penstemons and salvias.

Select a vigorous shoot, preferably a shoot that hasn’t flowered, otherwise make sure all buds have been taken off, cut a 5cm length as near to a leaf joint as possible, strip off the lowest leaves and insert into compost. Keep in a cool, moist environment out of full sunlight. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for August 2020

Divide congested clumps of bearded iris after flowering. Dead head bedding plants, roses and herbaceous plants to encourage more flowers.

Trim evergreen hedges, including conifers. Feed dahlias and cannas every two weeks with a high potassium fertilizer, such as tomato feed. Prune early-summer flowering shrubs, such as Philadelphus, once they have finished flowering. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for July 2020

So, after all those weeks that we have had in lock down, and the sunshine and showers our gardens have received we should all be starting to notice a difference when we look outside.

Hopefully, as businesses start to reopen, garden centres will as well, and any gaps in the garden can then be instantly filled, adding more colour to the garden.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for June 2020

It is a bit strange writing this column while we are all stuck at home keeping social distance, and none of us can predict if things will change before May. I have noticed that more people are taking an interest in their gardens so perhaps some of this information will be helpful.

Summer bedding can be planted out in the garden and pots once the risk of frost has passed. Dahlia plants can be planted out at the end of the month. Any herbaceous plants that will flop over or be damaged by high winds need to be staked. Keep up with the weeding, either by hand or hoeing them. Evergreen hedges can be cut from this month, but check for nesting birds before getting the hedgecutter out. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for May 2020

Check roses for black spot, remove and destroy any infected leave and treat with a fungicide. Cotinus and Sambucus grown for their foliage effect can be cut back now.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for April 2020

This month can be quite a busy month, but a lot will depend on the weather and the risk of frosts.

Perennials that are congested and overcrowded can be lifted and split this month. Overwintered dahlias can be kick started by potting them in free draining compost, when they start to produce new shoots, the first of these can be cut and potted to multiply your stock. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for March 2020

Protect the blossom on peaches and nectarines. Prune autumn fruiting raspberries, cutting all stems down to ground level. Sow broad beans directly in the garden, or in pots. Chit potatoes, prepare vegetable beds for later sowings. Start sowing early vegetable seeds under cover (eg broad beans, pea, spinach, cabbages). Mulch around the base of fruit trees.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for February 2020

This is a great time to plan what you would like to do in the garden for the rest of the year. Take a note book and walk around the garden. Look at seed catalogues for ideas of what to sow.

Midwinter is a tough time for wildlife in the garden. Make sure there is a continuous supply of food and fresh water. Knock snow off branches, especially conifers, if they are bending under the weight.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for January 2020

Keep raking up those leaves from the lawn and borders.

If it’s a mild winter, continue to cut the lawn if it’s growing, but raise the height of the mower blades.

From now until the end of March is the time to plant any bare rooted trees, shrubs and roses.

Check stored fruit, throw out any that are rotten.

Reduce watering on houseplants.

[Read more…] about 2019 December Gardening Tips by Wellie