What a week just past, severe heat, showers, strong wind then a cooling down but we cant say we are not getting a real summer and with it comes dry ground. It is so important to keep moisture around the roots of all plants, shrubs and trees right now because if plants are going to be lost because of the dry conditions it will be during this month and March. At the end of March we will get dews again to help parched plants along but for the next two months it is up to the gardener.
Rhododendron, azaleas, camellias, daphne shrubs and acer trees, (maples) are all shallow rooted and very susceptible to dry ground damage and can also be burned by excessive chemical feeding if not watered in well. A good deep drenching is what is needed during these hot months.
Dahlia's are taking center stage now, and will carry on flowering into autumn. They are making it into our flower borders more and more looking great mixed with summer perennials. There are many dahlia styles and colours - cacti, singles, pompom to name just a few and so many shades. Dahlia tubers are a good investment for a large garden because they increase in size from year to year and in time can be broken up to plant as gap fillers. They can be left where planted in well draining ground all year round but if left in ground that holds water they will rot.
Perennial tall phlox is also putting on a fantastic show right now with frothy pinks and white and they are also a great investment for the garden because one plant will grow into a large clump in no time, will need staking but so worth the trouble because not only do they look beautiful the perfume from a clump of tall phlox can be intoxicating wafting about the garden.
Sow annual winter flowering seeds now to give colour during winter, Iceland poppy, primula malacoidies, Virginian stock (a great plant for winter hanging baskets) wall flower, and flowering kale. Getting any of these plants to the budding stage before frosts arrive and they will push on and flower. This applies to coastal gardens only, not those further in land unless you have a frost free sheltered spot.
Lawns have really dried off and without regular soakings they will be more brown than green however grass is tough and will bounce back after a good rain. Now is the time to deal with grass grubs, they are most active from now until May, birds will let you know by scratching grass out in different areas and leaving brown patches of dead grass. Have some grass grub granules ready to apply before the next lot of rain.
Vegetables: Many edibles are peaking in production to enjoy at the moment. Water in the morning or evening before or after the full heat of the sun, otherwise there’s too much evaporation for the plants to thrive. I swear my pumpkins grow every time I turn my back on them! We are all in for bumper crops this summer. I have been free flow, freezing veg when I have time, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, peas and corn all keep well after blanching and freezing in the free flow method. This is the best time for planting above ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the plants. Examples are lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Cucumbers and tomatoes are ripening well now, keep an eye out for any rotting among plants and remove.
Fruit trees will need a good drenching while fruit is swelling and ripening. Jams, sauces and pickles will be on the go to be bottled and stored for winter I am sure.
Cheers, Linda.
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