According to the Royal Horticultural Society many of us suffer from plant bereavement and go through the classic symptoms of grief when faced with the trauma of wilted, leafless or damaged plants. And, as this article in the Guardian points out, weather conditions and a range of new pests has meant that the RHS team has been called upon more and more to provide both technical and emotional support to its members who may be feeling guilty about not doing the best for their plants - they have even been known to send plants off for DNA testing to prove that a beloved plant is in fact dying.

With the rain and cool weather that we are all experiencing at the moment it's time to pause and think what is typical British summer weather?  This temperature graph for the past 50 years taken from an article on the BBC news website shows there is anything but a typical British summer!

Visit the BBC News article for a more in depth article about summer weather patterns.

Normally we would say try and make time to relax in your garden and enjoy the warm, sunny weather - but maybe this year we will just say we hope we get some better weather!

• FLOWERS
  - Give a liquid feed to your bedding plants will keep them flowering and don't forget to water if the weather turns drier.
  - Dahlias, cosmos, rudbeckias should continue to be deadheaded as this will help them to flower until the frosts set in.  
  - Petals of impatiens (busy lizzies) that have fallen on the leaves should be shaken off as this will help to stop them rotting.
  - Regular deadheading of roses should be carried out, and flowers trimmed just above the top leaf on the stem. Stem cuttings can also be taken for propagating.
  - Hardy annuals such as calendula, eschscholzia and myosotis can be sown direct in their flowering positions for early flowers next spring/summer.
  - Sowings of wild flowers such as cowslips and primroses should be made in trays, placing in a cold frame, whereas feverfew and field cornflower can be sown where they are required to flower.
  - Cuttings of fuchsias and tender perennials can still be taken and will quickly root at this time of year.
  - Houseplants such as coleus can also have cuttings taken now for propagation.  .
  - Now is a good time for cutting plants such as achillea, grasses and other everlasting subjects as they are at their best. They should be hung upside down in any airy, warm place so that they can dry naturally ready for use in arrangements.
• PATIO POTS, BASKETS & CONTAINERS
  - Depending on weather conditions, thoroughly water patio pots, baskets and containers at least once a day making sure the compost doesn't dry out.
  - If going away on holiday ask a friend or neighbour to water and deadhead your garden plants. If this isn't possible, why not use one of the many watering devices available while away e.g.  Watering Mats, Micro-drip Watering System & Timer Set, Watering Spike, Adjustable Drip Feeder(see our Watering System section for more informatio. It would also be worthwhile moving containers and hanging baskets to a situation where they are shaded and out of full sunshine.
• FRUIT
  - Continue to hoe to keep weeds under control.
  - Any remaining strawberry runners should be cut away, weeds should be removed along with dead leaves and straw after fruiting.
  - Summer fruiting raspberries can be pruned. Cut back fruited canes to the ground and tie in new canes, removing any spare ones.
  - Grape vines can be tied into supports.   
  - Main shoots and sideshoots of gooseberries can be pruned back to five leaves which will encourage fruiting shoots for next season to be produced.
• VEGETABLES
  - Indoor and outdoor tomatoes should continue to be fed once a week.
  - Continue to pinch out side shoots on tomatoes and tie the leading shoots to supports.
  - Tips of cucumber side shoots should be pinched out just two beyond any fruit that may be developing.
  - Remember to pick cucumbers on a regular basis as any old fruit left on the plants will affect further flowering.  
  - Picking beans frequently encourages the plants to continue producing more good quality crops.
  - To prevent wind rock use a short stake to support brussels sprouts.
  - Parsnips and leeks can be lifted for use as and when required.
  - Lift maincrop potatoes if you want to use them straight away, or harvest in September or early October if they are to be stored
  - Potato blight can occur if conditions are hot and humid, therefore, to prevent attack it may be worth considering using a fungicide spray.  
  - Potato yields may also benefit by being given extra water.
  - Pinch out tips of any climbing shoots of runner beans should they reach the tops of supports.
• LAWNCARE
  - With the weather wet and warm grass will be growing quickly so cut more than once a week if a fine finish is required.
  - If you've been away on holiday your grass will be long so to avoid any stress to the lawn it is best to cut it gradually..
  - To avoid tearing, grass mower blades should be sharpened regularly.
  - Sites for new lawns can be prepared as the end of August and into early September is an ideal time for sowing.
• THE GREENHOUSE
  - Prevent plants in the greenhouse becoming scorched on hot days, which can occur if the leaves are wet, by either placing netting or using a shade paint on the outside of the glass.
  - On hot days damp down the floor of the greenhouse as this will increase humidity.
  - Once melon fruits begin to give off a sweet smell and are beginning to ripen reduce watering and feeding.
  - A weekly feed with a high potash fertiliser should continue to be applied to cucumbers.
• POND
  - Feed fish regularly with a varied diet to build them up, but take care not to overfeed - any food remaining in the pond after ten minutes should be removed.
  -Top up water levels to help aerate the water and keep fish healthy. Oxygen can be increased by letting water gently fall into the pond from a hose at a height of approximately 1m (3').   
  - It may need to increase the amount of oxygen to fish and plants during thundery weather in which case leaving the fountain running overnight will prove helpful. If you don't have a fountain then a gentle spray using a hose over the surface from time to time will help.  

Happy Gardening

     The Ferndale Team

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