Gardening Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 28, 1 August 1940, Page 19

Gardening Notes

By "PRACTICAL"

THE GARDEN IN AUGUST

Although we usually get considerable wet weather and some cold spells in August, this month may also be considered the beginning of a new season in the garden. The days are lengthening and the sun gaining strength daily, making for more favourable conditions all round. Except in v the ; coldest districts seeds of all hardy vegetables may be sown this month, whenever the soil conditions ! are suitable. It is wiser to postpone sowing, however, while the ground is very cold and wet, as seeds are apt to rot under such conditions and the work has to be done over again. Where the ground is incapable of being worked down into a suitable condition for sowing the difficulty may be overcome to ? some extent by opening the drills in the usual way and then spread- ; ing some fine, moderately-dry soil along the drills to sow the seeds on. The same fine dry soil should ! also be used for covering the seed. As a general rule seeds do not require so much covering at this : season as later on, as the surface does not dry out. f , Planting of potatoes may be undertaken, but warm, well-drained plots should be chosen. If there is a likelihood of late frosts it is wiser to postpone this planting till the end of the month—in the meantime having the sets put out on shallow trays in full light .to sprout and green. Autumn-sown onions and all members of the cabbage family may be planted this month. The planting of fruit trees should be finished as soon as possible. Established trees should be pruned and sprayed. After pruning, all cuttings should be cleared up and burnt and the grdund dug over round the trees, working in a good dressing of manure at the same time. In the flower garden, also, August is a busy month. All hardy flower seeds may be sown in the open ground under suitable conditions. Tender subjects must be raised in boxes under cover in readiness for planting out when the weather and spil conditions are more congenial. Any seedlings of hardy plants which are available can be planted out. Early planting under normal conditions will result in early maturity, and the plants get well rooted before dry weather sets in. Perennial plants which are overcrowded may still be lifted and divided, although the work is best done in the autumn. A further planting of gladioli conns may be made. Many of the spring-flowering plants, notably the bulbous varieties, are throwing flower and these subjects should be carefully tended by keeping them free from weeds and forking the soil round them occasionally, being careful not to disturb the roots unnecessarily. Roses should be pruned as the eyes swell, a condition which shows that the sap is moving again. Manure and fork over the rose beds after pruning. Any further planting of trees or shrubs should be completed as soon as possible to allow the plant time to become established before dry weather sets in.