Make the most of the warmth in the air and soil, before the temperatures drop at the beginning of Autumn. To help grapes ripen, remove leaves shading fruit. Check if there are any heavy laden branches on fruit trees that need supporting. Pinch out tops of tomatoes, remove any new flowers, and remove any growth below the lowest fruit and growth shading fruit.
Earth up brussel sprouts to prevent damage from wind. Earth up leeks to increase length of white stems. Dig up potatoes before slug damage spoils them. Finish trimming hedges by mid September.
Perennials that have finished flowering can be divided now if they have become congested. Cut back flowered stems of jasmine. Climbing roses can be pruned now after they have flowered . Plant bulbs for spring display. Sow grass seed or lay new turf this month. Apply an autumn weed
and feed to your lawns.
As the weather cools begin to scarify, aerate and top dress. Cut summer flowering meadows after they have gone to seed. Leave cuttings for a few days to allow remaining seeds to fall, then rake up so that the cuttings are not left to enrich the ground. Net ponds now before the leaves start to fall. Don’t be too hasty to cut everything down after it has finished flowering. Carry on filling your bird feeders.
If you have sunflowers, don’t be tempted to clear them away, leave the seed heads for birds to feed on. Keep bird baths clean and full of water. Leave food out for hedgehog visitors.
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