Michael Coulter’s Top Tasks

Now is a very busy time in the garden. Plant growth is rapid and we need to keep on top of the many tasks that need to be done. The weather has been very changeable with a lot of wind. This means that we will have to keep up the watering as winds increase transpiration in the plants.


Flower Garden

  1. Begonias, marigolds, petunias and all the other Summer bedding plants can now be planted.
  2. Keep the water up on roses and watch out for pest and diseases. Spray as needed to keep plants healthy.
  3. Prune back any excessive growth on trees and shrubs that may interfere with paths, windows or power lines before they become a problem.
  4. Liquid feed any plants growing in pots or containers to keep them healthy and growing well.
  5. Do not allow weeds to grow too big. Small seedling weeds are easier to control.
  6. Remove the spent flowers on shrubs, annuals and perennials to encourage more flowers.
  7. Add supports to taller growing plants before they get too tall and start to fall over.
  8. Try to water in the mornings before it gets too hot and windy so that plants are dry at night this helps to stop the spread of fungus diseases on the plants.

Lawns

  1. Keep the grass growing by regular feeding and watering –  do not cut too low.
  2. As it gets drier and warmer grass will want to flower and go to seed. If this starts cut the grass a little shorter to remove the flower stems then feed and water well.
  3. Cut the grass every week. This keeps it tidy and does not produce too much in the way of clippings to get rid of.


Fruit & Vegie garden

  1. Sow parsnips, plant leeks and keep a continuous planting of leafy veggies to give a good supply all the time.
  2. Keep the water up so that plants make good growth to give the best crops. Tomatoes and beans need plenty of water.
  3. Keep the weeds down to reduce plant competition so the crops can grow to their best.
  4. Remove the laterals on tomatoes (best done in the morning when plants are cooler as they break off better then) and keep plants pest and disease free.
  5. Spray apples for codling moth and black spot now and in January spray for spider mite to give good quality crop.
  6. Harvest produce when it is ready to ensure you get the best from the garden, especially beans, zucchini, peas and runner beans as these are better consumed when they are tender.
  7. Mould up potatoes and look out for the tomato potato psyllid which attacks the plant reducing the crop to useless. This pest attacks plants belonging to the potato, tomato and pepper group of plants. If seen (usually on the underside of the leaves) spray with an insecticide to treat.