Weekend gardener: leave it a little longer
Ornamentals
In dry weather, it pays not to cut the lawn as short as usual. Longer grass withstands drought better.
Encourage bushiness and more blooms in annuals and perennials, such as chrysanthemum and helianthus by nipping out the leading shoot. (The same may be done to basil to encourage leaves.)
Prune flowering shrubs such as deutzia, weigela and philadelphus as soon as they have finished flowering to give post-pruning new growth time to ripen enough to flower well next year.
Pop in annuals to fill any gaps in the flower border.
Stake tall perennials to prevent wind damage to flower spikes. Feed delphiniums with weak liquid fertiliser.
When picking roses for the vase, make the cut just above a five-fingered leaf – and summerprune the shrub at the same time! In repeat and continuousblooming varieties this will help ensure a great display in autumn and into autumn.
Tulips and hyacinths will benefit from a mulch to help keep the soil cool. Or lift the bulbs and store in a dry, cool place.
Deciduous magnolias should be pruned when in full leaf. Winter pruning can cause dieback and if done in late winter or spring bleeding may occur.
Edibles
Plant ‘‘cut and come again’’ leafy salad greens. Good candidates include amaranth, basil, coriander, corn salad, dandelion, lettuce, mizuna, mustard, bok choi, parsley, purslane, radicchio, red kale, rocket, sorrel and spinach. Sow in containers or the garden.
Containers should be at least 45cm deep and 45cm wide. Fill with proprietal potting mix and keep well watered. All of the above should do well in containers, as well try beetroot, ball-shaped carrots, mini-lettuces such as ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Tom Thumb’, peas and spring onions.
Freeze borage flowers in ice cubes for decorative Christmas cocktails.
Stop picking asparagus to let the plants build up food reserves in their roots. Weed carefully, sprinkle blood and bone over the bed at roughly a handful a square metre, then mulch with compost.
New gooseberry bushes will need a summer prune. Remove the weakest inward-facing branches.
Water fruit trees deeply and regularly for good-size fruit.
Plant brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and leeks.