Recovering from the Heatwave.

Well it looks like last week's article on "Water" really did bring on the rain!

After such a prolonged dry spell there are a few things to do and to look out for in the garden.

If you haven't been watering systematically your lawn may have gone a bit brown. Don't worry if it has, it will recover quickly but give it a helping hand by putting on some fertilizer, preferably a "Weed, Feed & Mosskiller". Moss does not like dry conditions but thrives in wet ones so all the spores that have been lying dormant during the dry spell will now germinate. It has been the succession of wet seasons in recent years that has caused Moss to become such a problem and it would take a succession of dry seasons to really get rid of it - in the meantime all we can do is control it.
Slug and Aphid eggs lie relatively dormant during dry spells waiting to hatch out when the wet comes - so be alert as they will on their way! Have Slug Pellets and Pesticide ready to use at the first sign of a problem or they will soon get out of control.

Plants produce flowers to make seeds (not for our enjoyment!). The seeds are made towards the end of the flower's life and if we remove the flowers in time the seeds are not formed so the plant is "tricked" into starting the process again - plants aren't too bright!
Deadheading flowers really does encourage them to continue flowering so if you haven't done so already give it a try you will be surprised how much more you can get out of your Roses and other flowers.
It's August and the first of the Autumn Bedding has just come in, the Bulbs are due next week and the Bird Food could arrive any time but more on these in future weeks.

Article provided by Ron from West Carlston Garden Centre in Torrance.
www.westcarlston.com

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