Chris's Monthly tips

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Feed plants in baskets, containers and growbags weekly with a liquid feed such as Miracle-Gro or Phostrogen. Deadhead roses, perennials and bedding material to maintain a continuous flush of flowers.
Check all trees for extra growth forming at the base as these will take goodness away from the main tree, use sharp secateurs to remove. On trained fruit, tie in new growth, prune to control growth and promote the formation of fruit bud. After fruiting prune Cherries and Plums, never to be done in winter due to risk of disease introduction.
Fruit trees growing against a wall may need mulching and heavy cropping Pears may need careful thinning so as to produce well formed fruits later.
Pick maturing vegetables young on a regular basis to maintain continuity, quality and a full flavour, continue earthing-up main crop Potatoes. Sow a succession of quick maturing salad items on ground released from earlier crops, such as Radish, Lettuce, Beetroot, Carrots and Spring Onions. Sow now Spring Cabbage, Swede, Turnips, Peas etc to overwinter until next spring.
Keep the hoe in action to keep the weed seedlings at bay.
Sow biennials such as Canterbury Bells (pictured), Bellis daisies, Sweet Williams, Digitalis (Foxgloves) and Wallflowers now so they will flower next late spring and summer. Frequently pick Sweet Peas. Disbud dahlias for long stems and larger blooms.
Although painting woodwork always feels like an autumn job (when there’s not so much actual gardening to attend to), it’s obviously better to do it when the weather’s dry so pick a fine day and enjoy beautiful, newly painted fence
Our July essential product: As we are watering more due to the exceptionally hot and dry weather now is time to ensure plant feeding is given top priority. Your pots, baskets and greenhouse crops will greatly benefit from a regular weekly feed using either high potash Phostrogen or Tomorite. It is important to ensure the plants are adequately moist before you feed them as this can result in scorched/damaged roots. Aim to apply the liquid feed either first thing in the morning or later in the day to help reduce evaporation.