Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd
September normally marks the end of summer and transition to Autumn although another heatwave is forecast with a return to hot dry weather. This has been an extraordinary summer with high temperatures and a very long period of dry weather which has certainly knocked my garden for six. With the help of a neighbour while on holiday, I have avoided losing any plants, although the borders look worn out and the new perennial plants have struggled to produce much colour. The lawn is also brown and parched and some of the vegetables are looking feeble. As I am writing this, the heavens have opened and produced two days of heavy rain which will hopefully start the recovery and thankfully the water butts are now full. I have kept the containers in the shade and they have survived well accept for one by the front door which has completely wilted. It was a rather nice Houttuynia Chameleon but the only colour now is brown.
Keep going with dead-heading, watering and high potash (K) feed and try to get the most out of the next two months, but where the garden has taken a bashing, start the autumn tidy up. The lawn will desperately need some maintenance and as the wetter weather produces fresh green growth apply an autumn weed and feed with high phosphate (P) to build up the roots. Aerate the soil with a garden fork and remove all the dead thatch with a spring tyne rake. Cut down the haulms of maincrop potatoes to about 3” to thicken the skins before starting to lift them 3 weeks later. Garlic, autumn onion sets and winter brassicas can go in now. As the weather gets wetter keep pumpkins, squashes and marrows off the ground with a piece of wood or slate. Also pot up some mint and parsley for the kitchen windowsill over the winter and pick and freeze surplus herbs.
While the weather is warm and wetter it’s a good time to plant late summer perennials like Rudbeckia and Echinacea and to divide existing plants. Also make sure you have Sedum and Chrysanthemums to provide great autumn colour through to the first frosts. This is also a great time to plant new shrubs and trees, but always give a lot of thought to how big they will grow and the impact on the plants around them. It’s also the time to start planting spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, crocus and hyacinth.
Fruit will be cropping now, cherries will be largely finished but plum, apple and pears will be ripening through to the end of October depending on the variety. Ensure that any rotten fruit is removed before it infects the rest. Tidy up strawberry plants and pot up new runners for next year. Pick Blackberries as they ripen and cut back the fruited canes of summer raspberries.
There really is no end to it, but the time comes when you have to tidy things away and go indoors, have a cold drink that sends a shiver down your spine and think stupid thoughts like starting again tomorrow when the sun is up. It’s actually a madness, I blame my Father for getting me interested in gardening.
We are 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 3 shows we hold each year, then 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
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