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We are now well into the summer and having a mix of hot sunny weather with occasional thunderstorms which is not too unusual. The garden will be reaching its peak now and regular maintenance, weeding, deadheading, watering and feeding will get the best out of it. We have been getting heavy dews in the morning which have kept things well watered, especially the lawn, however mid to late summer is normally dryer. I have kept the grass quite long this year which keeps the roots moist and so far it has paid off. There’s time to squeeze in a last high Nitrogen weed and feed in early August before the Autumn comes.
The expected Beanfest has arrived with Broad Beans, French Beans and Runner Beans in abundance. Climbing Beans need to be picked regularly and well-watered to keep the crop coming or else they will stop flowering. Broad Beans should be harvested by now with a large bag in the freezer. A lot of vegetables will be cropping now and second sowings can go in. I leave my early potatoes in the ground until needed in the kitchen but they can be lifted and stored in sacks if you want to reuse the plot. I am going to have a go at Maincrop Turnips this year which can be sown in early August for a crop by late October.
Cobra Climbing Beans, Scarlet Empire Runner Beans and
Exhibition Long Pod Broad Beans.
The borders are rampant and summer perennials and shrubs are flowering well. Tall plants need supporting and can be pruned back to bring on more growth especially Delphiniums which will flower again later in the year. The seed can be gathered now, sown and overwintered for planting next Spring. Now is also a good time to take stem tip cuttings to boost stocks for next year and it is always a good idea to keep spares of your favourite plants.
Apples and Pears should be filling out now and thinning out can be completed to leave the best on the tree to ripen. Give young trees a good watering and feed to bring them on and keep up the battle with pests. Plums, Cherries and Currants will be ready for harvest this month and can also be pruned afterwards. Summer raspberries can be cut back and strawberries tidied up and new runners planted for next year.
The tadpoles have now been released back into the pond having reached a good size in quarantine. The remaining 50 or so should stand a better chance of surviving to become adult frogs. All will become apparent next March when the adults gather in the pond for an absolutely ribbeting time.
As restrictions have lifted the Duchess and I have enjoyed frequenting the local village pubs in pursuit of new interests like the Carpenters Arms and Blacksmiths Arms. I presently have my eye on a bit of boat building and am thinking of The Shipwrights Arms at Oare Marina. However, we did enjoy an evening at the Dog and Bear at Lenham. I phoned beforehand to ask if we could bring the dog and was pleased to hear we could. The Landlord was then pleased to hear that we would leave the bear at home.
UHS is always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
