Keep vigilant with pests and diseases
This month can be one of the warmest times of the year, and a perfect time for pests and diseases to develop and spread.
It’s important to keep a watchful eye out and treat any early signs quickly and efficiently. Some signs to look out for can include, white rust on chrysanthemums, which needs direct action, and earwigs on dahlias, which can make blooms ragged if traps are not set to help with damage control. Plants, such as nicotiana, which show yellowish blotches on the leaves could be suffering from downy mildew which will need to be eradicated instantly, and signs of distortion on phlox may indicate phlox eelworm. Powdery mildew can be a problem at this time of year but it can be treated with approved chemical solutions. Not all bugs are pests – the bright green and armoured shieldbug is harmless.
Fruit care
While the hot and dry weather prevails this month, it is important to maintain your fruit with training and pruning. Prune restricted trees such as fans and espaliers that have sideshoots, to minimal leaves to help with fruiting spurs. Restricted fruits such as pears and apples will need pruning to help them to a good harvest. It is essential to prune fruits either after they have fruited or after harvest – this includes apricots, peaches, plums, gages, damsons and nectarines. Another necessary task with fruits such as raspberry and blackberries is to tie their canes in with new ones after fruiting. Strawberries will need a good tidy up after fruiting to clear up leaves and straw, while regularly watering fruits such as lingonberries, cranberries and blueberries will help to keep them revived.
The art of plant-dyeing wool
Try something different with this interesting & practical workshop on the techniques of plant-dyeing wool. Come along to RHS Garden Harlow Carr on August 12, where between 10am & 4pm you will collect and harvest dye plants from the beds at Harlow Carr, along with a variety of dried leaves, flowers and roots. You will get a chance to dye pre-mordanted wool to create colourful wool for samples, along with tie-dyeing calico in an indigo bath and going through the process of washing and drying a good fleece. You will also learn the skill of hand carding to prepare for the peg loom weaving that takes places on Wednesday. Please bring your own lunch, although tea and coffee, plus all workshop materials needed are included.
Local Produce Show
It’s time to show off the fruits of your labour from the garden at RHS Garden Rosemoor’s local produce show, which is in conjunction with Great Torrington Horticultural Society. On August 16 between 11.30am & 4pm, come along and enter your own home-grown produce into the show and compete with others in your (adult) category. There is also a category for children, so why not get them involved as well? Prizes are gift shop vouchers for the shop at Rosemoor. That’s not all that going on at the show – you can enjoy both workshops and cooking demonstrations that can entertain the whole family. Call 01805 626 800 or visit Rosemoor for an up-to-date schedule.
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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