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IT'S hard to believe that we are now into the month of June.
After a wet month of May there is so much to be done around
the garden! It's time now to get those hanging baskets, tubs
and window boxes in order for the summer months.
Garden centres will have a full selection of geraniums,
petunias, bedding and basket plants,- so don't miss out and
make this summer a colourful one. Continue to tie in climbing
plants such as clematis, climbing rose, and of course sweet
pea to their supports to ensure they are secured and won't
fall or flop over.
Dead head rhododendrons as they fade by removing the old
flowering stalk. This will help encourage fresh young even
growth which will carry next year's flowers and will also
leave the plant looking clean and healthy.
Weeds can be a real problem now after all the rain in May
and now a little warmer weather will bring on a sudden burst
of weeds through the borders.
These can be controlled by either hand weeding or by use of
chemical weed killers such as gramoxone. Roundup or weedall.
Be sure to follow the manufactures' instructions at all
times and always wear a mask and the appropriate safety
clothing.
If spraying through awkward areas in the border;., with a
risk of spray drifting onto shrubs and herbaceous plants, a
spray hood may be required. This can be attached to the end of
the lance attached to a knapsack sprayer. This way spraying
can continue without the risk of affecting neighbouring
plants.
In the vegetable garden don't be afraid to give potatoes a
light spray to ward off an attack of blight; plant out leeks,
cabbage and make fresh sowings of carrots, let tuce and spring
onions to keep a fresh supply of greens for those salad days
ahead.
Train tomato plants and nip out the side shoots to
encourage healthy trusses. Cherry or basket tomato plants do
not require the .side shoots removed.
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