Village Gardener Tips for June
THE VILLAGE GARDENER
Stella Gardening Tips for June
Tips from Heulwyn Davies of the cherry tree garden.
- Grow more veg in pots, it’s so easy and tastes better than flowers.
- Think of the future and put in some raised beds.
- Sow pansies for Autumn flowering this month.
- Gardeners will always share their Knowledge, just ask.
- If you’re planning to purchase a greenhouse. Get the biggest you have room for, as they soon fill up.
Brian & Sandra Jones of open garden fame. Best practice.
- A little often is a good way to keep the garden looking nice.
- Forward planning will cut down on wastage.
- Do not plant out until temperatures are right and constant.
- Keep a diary along with photographs.
- It is so important to label everything.
There is still plenty of time to plant out your summer bedding. If you are in any doubt just check on Mr Crump and Mr Williams of Rectory Close as they are well known for getting it right. It is always better to wait until conditions are suitable. The same goes for vegetables. Although some veg are tolerant of poor weather others, especially runner beans, are not. A later planting time will save you a lot of work protecting these plants and you are guaranteed a better crop. You should by now have some empty trays and pots, so it’s time to sow Polyanthus, Primrose and Pansies in the greenhouse and outdoor sowing of Alstroemeria, Canterbury Bells, Sweet William and Wallflowers for strong plants next year. Make sure you get rid of leftover Forget-me-Nots before powdery mildew takes hold as this can affect other plants. Cutting back alchemilla mollis, Geranium and Heuchera if they start to look raggy, new growth will soon come back.
One of the hardest infections to halt in the veg garden is potato blight. This is an airborne fungus type disease that attacks the foliage, then the tubers, it will also affect tomatoes. Wet and humid conditions bring it to the plants and once there it is near impossible to manage. Brown marks on the leaves are the first sign and it spreads rapidly. Good air circulation can help prevent infection, so please leave at least 30 to 40cms between each tuber when planting. Do not leave any potatoes in the ground when clearing as the disease can infect the following season’s crop. Early and blight resistant varieties are the best option.
The Sexton at the church has been conducting trials on different compost bins to establish which produced usable compost in the shortest time. The type which sits on a cradle that you turn weekly was, by a long way, the most efficient.
The plant sale in Vennwood at the start of May went really well. Luckily for me Sue Williams of Wenvoe Wheelers was on hand to prevent the Village Gardener selling weeds as flowers to unsuspecting customers.
Take care and happy gardening.