1. There’s still time to direct sow some annuals like Cerinthe, Nasturtium, Nigella and Calendula for late flowering. Remember to thin out once germinated for decent size flowers.
2. Lily beetles are rife this year so be vigilant as they can devastate in no time (and they enjoy fritillaries too).
3. If you need to keep them in bounds you can prune early flowering shrubs now like early honeysuckle and Weigela before they get too large.
4. Cut down spent flowering stems on bearded irises and divide plants if needed, replanting with at least two fans and a decent piece of rhizome attached. make sure to plant in a sunny spot with some rhizome exposed.
consider growing Myrrhis odorata (sweet cicely)
and take easy cuttings from Dianthus
5. If you don’t already grow it, try growing Myrrhis odorata, sweet cicily, which is a herb and lovely umbellifer and dies down once it sets seed. The leaves can be used as a sugar substitute to sweeten apples and rhubarb with a slight anise flavour. I will try and remember to save some seeds when ready for anyone who wants them but if you grow it remove them from the plant if you don’t want seedlings everywhere.
6. It’s also a good time to take Dianthus cuttings by pulling or cutting side shoots or slips from the side of main stems. Strip off the lower leaves and pinch out the tip and place round the edge of a pot of gritty compost and keep in a shady spot until rooted.
7. Tomatoes are growing away well so keep tying to stakes and remember to pinch out side shoots on cordon grown plants.
8. Stake tall broad bean plants by putting in four stakes on the corner of rows and supporting by winding round string. Don’t be too hasty to pull out plants when you think they’ve finished as they often have a second flush of flowers and beans.
9. Perpetual spinach is a good strong cropper… it may not have the delicacy of other spinach but it can last a year and crops profusely and is easy to grow. Highly recommended for stir fries.
10. And finally never give up trying to grow something. I have been trying to grow Tulipa sprengeri, a species tulip, for 30 years…I’ve planted a bulb (very expensive and they’re tiny) , I’ve sown seeds I got from the Hardy Plant Society and a friend all to no avail… until this year when it popped up on the bank at the back of the garden and flowered for four days or so! I’m hoping it’ll multiply or set seed and eventually there will be more.
Happy gardening all!
Pat K
Discover more from Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society 