Watch out for pests & diseases
To give your garden plants the best chance possible, it’s essential to keep an eye out for pests and diseases that become a problem at this time of year.
Larvae from the likes of the scarlet lily beetle can strip plants such as lilies quickly if not spotted early enough. The dry, hot weather can cause powdery mildew, which can affect plants such as roses, clematis and honeysuckle. Roses can also be affected by black spots, which need treating straight away. Pyracantha (firethorn) can be affected by scab, and clematis plants including large flowering cultivars could be affected by clematis wilt. Other pests and diseases to be wary of are vine weevils and aphids (blackfly and greenfly), especially on the leaves and stems of new shoots, along with the capsid bug, which can cause small tears and holes in the foliage of plants such as fuchsia, caryopteris and dahlias.
Vegetable Care
Regular care for your vegetables is needed this month, especially with the dry hot weather. It is important to make sure vegetables and seed pods such as beans are watered regularly to help with their growth and stave off unwanted diseases, bolting and other disorders. Hoeing off weeds when it’s hot is a continued effort but worth the time in the long run, as in the wet weather they are likely to re-root. Both climbing beans and vine tomatoes (bush tomatoes can be left) need stopping by removing the main shoot, or once they get to the top of their supports, to ensure maximum crops by the end of the growing season. Be sure to keep an eye on climbing vegetables, and ensure that they are tied securely to supports or props. You can also begin to earth up vegetables such as the non self-blanching celery cultivars, but be sure there is protection between the soil and stems.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
This month you can enjoy a second exciting RHS Show in the form of RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Between 23 and 27 July 2014, visitors are invited to come along and join in the festivities, with new features added together with old favourites. This year the theme is The Great Garden Carnival and there will be talks, workshops, summer flowers, imaginative gardens, the RHS Young Designer of the Year, and the annual flowerbed competition. Alongside this will be the four Tatton zones, Escape, Grow, Feast and Inspire, each with their own flavour, fabulous food, inspiring designs and the ability to grow magnificent plants. A day out at the Tatton Park Flower show will give you the spark to transform your own garden.
Shade plants for containers and the garden
To add some interest to your garden, especially for those shady areas, why not pop along to this RHS Garden Harlow Carr workshop on the 25 July? Between 10am and 12noon, RHS gardener Aimee-Beth Browning will give a guided walk around Harlow Carr to explore the variety of shade-loving plants that are grown. There will also be the chance to plant up your own small trough/container to take away with you, using interesting plants suitable for shady areas such as mini rhododendrons, ferns and mini hostas. It is advised to wear clothing appropriate for outdoor activities and help will be needed to unload your container/trough at home due to its weight.
Listen to the latest RHS podcast
Listen to our latest podcast, where we offer seasonal information, you can hear tips on growing fruit and veg, and get up-to-the-minute help and advice.
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