Here we are almost at the end of another year and the humid, before Christmas, cloudy weather is persisting and so much growth, does the cutting back NEVER end!. It's getting rid of it all that creates a problem for most people, however at this time of the year the cut back growth is soft and with the help of daily heat will break down in heaps or on the compost so pile it up until it all reduces then cart it off. Gaps left can be built up with fresh compost and planted out in summer annuals.
Delphiniums growing tall will be needing supports to keep them in place, its hard to stand them up again with out stems breaking if they collapse. If this has happened cut them back to the broken point to continue to put out new but smaller flower heads.
Catmint edging can be cut right back now, it will grow back and flower again and lavender needs to be trimmed when it has finished flowering.
English lavender is worth cutting, bunching and hanging once stems have firmed and continue to give off that lovely fresh lavender fragrance right through until it flowers again next summer if kept inside.
Rhododendrons finished flowering need spent flowers removed before they make seed, imposable to do on very large bushes but beneficial to smaller bushes as you want them to put growth into the bush not seeds. There is a point on a spent flower that when bent will break cleanly without damaging new growth.
Roses: Remove rain damaged buds and blooms, if left they will encourage fungus during humid weather. Roses need dry sunny days to flower at their best however they will be enjoying the moist soil and should respond really well when sunny days do arrive.
Lillies will also be enjoying moist ground conditions but will probably stay in bud until those continuous sunny days arrive. Lillies do like their roots moist but like most plants will rot if water logged.
Hedge trimming is on going here and ivy that has romped away can be trimmed right back before it sets flowers.
Herbs are running to seed before I can cut and hang them as they must be completely dry when cut and bundled to prevent mold. If we do get a chance to cut hang, rub and store it is well worth the effort. I usually produce enough dried herbs to last the following year as well as gift to others.
Herbs should be harvested when flavor and aroma oils are at their peak, before they flower. Harvest early in the morning after the dew dries and before the heat of the day. Herb flowers harvested to dry for craft should be picked just before flowers are fully open.
Culinary herbs to dry: rosemary, thyme, sage, dill, basil, chives, parsley, oregano, tarragon, nasturtium (leaves and flowers)
Fruit: black currents, raspberries and gooseberries are all wanting continuous sunny days and strawberries being low to the ground are rotting with such damp conditions, I have removed any rot and large top leaves to let more air and light in but they need to have a net cover if exposed to birds.
Vegetable garden: Weeds as well as veg are romping away but easy to pull while the soil is damp, again get rid of any veg rotting and when time and weather allows work wet ground with a hoe to get air in. Keep potatoes mounded, not long now to dig for Christmas dinner along with peas, board beans, carrots, beetroot and lettuce, produce so good from your own garden to the table.
Cheers, Linda.
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