Kildare Post Gardening Column – Getting To Work In the Garden
The garden is always a busy place this time of year and this Kildare Post article is about some of the jobs that can be done this week. An edited version of this article appeared in print in the Kildare Post on 19 August 2014.
Getting to work in the garden By David Corscadden
With the promise of good weather in the coming days there will hopefully be more opportunities to get out into the garden and get some jobs done. Here are a few key jobs to tackle in the coming week.
Trim Back Shrubs
It is a good time now to start trimming hedges and shrubs to put some order on them before the autumn months. By trimming shrubs, even lightly, it will encourage shrubs to bush out instead of growing tall.
Feed, Feed and Feed
Feeding and watching for signs of stress in plants will continue to be an important job in the coming weeks. It is important to keep feeding both flowering plants and crops in the vegetable patch. Following the first flush of flowers rose can be given a feed once they have been pruned. This will encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Tree Care
Newly planted trees should be monitored to ensure they are establishing correctly. Ties and stakes should be checked regularly and loosened accordingly. If you are planning on planting new trees this autumn, or even bare root hedging, it is important to plan in advance. Study the area you want to plant in and make sure the plants you want to grow will suit the area.
Keep on top of the vegetable Patch
It is this time of the year that the vegetable can take up more time than it normally does. It is extremely important to keep on top of weeds and ensure they do not take hold and compete with crops for food and water. Repeat sowings of some crops can still continue and winter crops can be prepared for.
Plan for Spring colour
In the coming weeks spring bulb catalogues and stands will start to appear in garden centres. It is a good idea to look back at photos taken earlier in the year and start to pin point areas that would benefit from some spring colour. Then make a list and start to pick bulbs which will work in the different areas.
Other Kildare Post Gardening Columns:
Kildare Post Gardening Column – A Hanging Garden of Colour
Kildare Post Gardening Column – Hampton Court Flower Show Highlights
Kildare Post Gardening Column – What to do this week in the garden
Getting to grips with the garden – Kildare Post Gardening Column
A different kind of Horse Chestnut – Kildare Post Gardening Column
