Things to be getting on with the garden this week…
August is the best time to take cuttings from half-hardy bedding plants such as fuchsias, pelargoniums, marguerites and trailing petunias.
Propagation
Once done, cover the pots with a polythene bag or with a propagator lid and place somewhere warm and sheltered but out of strong, direct sunlight.
Don’t forget to pick up everything you need for taking successful cuttings including pots, compost, dibbers, rooting hormone, labels, Perlite, sharp secateurs or a pruning knife and propagator lids at your nearest GCA member garden centre.
Water and feed
Meanwhile, rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas will be setting their flower buds for next year this month, so it’s important they never get short of water, or the flower buds may fail next spring. Feeding will also produce more flowers and better-quality ones too.
Mulching
Mulching with bark now, or similar products, will help maintain soil moisture levels and insulate the roots.
Deadheading
Dead head herbaceous plants, as each flush of flowers fades and they will reward you with another flush in a few weeks’ time.
Get more FREE advice
If you need any more free advice, please contact one of our member garden centres. Find your nearest GCA garden centre here.