With one of the driest Augusts ever on record, and a hosepipe ban inplace, it could be easy to lose heart with what you’ve all tried to achieve inyour gardens this year. I know I’ve lost plants, the 6’ wall of Sweet Peas Iwas planning was one of the saddest end results I’ve ever produced, inspite of watering and feeding! My shallots were more shall-nots and mytomatoes were cooked before they even left the greenhouse! I’ve had toadjust my way of thinking as to how to get the best displays out of the garden with harsh conditionsas a potential normal. With this in mind, as well as the things to do in September, I’ve put together alist of my favourite drought-tolerant plants for the garden which will be available on the websiteversion of this article . It’s always worth looking into different varieties, because there is quite astunning range of colours available these days!
In the Garden
Apart from the continuation of deadheading to get the last out of flowering displays this year, andthe clearing of dead leaves from perennials, this month is for bulb planting! I love the start of bulbplanting season, and this month is for the spring flowers, the daffodils, crocus and hyacinth. As withall planting, I always check for new varieties of bulbs online for showy displays, but for a generic mix Ifind supermarkets can be a good go-to!Herbaceous perennials can be lifted and divided and cuttings taken of fuschia, lavender andpelargonium, all of which should be kept frost-free over winter. Seeds such as poppies, cornflower ,love-in-a-mist, marigolds and antirrhinum can be sown back into the borders for an early start nextyear. Climbing roses should be pruned to shape.
In the Veg Patch
Still harvesting potatoes, beans and carrots! Any finished bean and pea plants are best cut down atground level because the roots decompose over winter and put essential nitrogen back into the soilfor next years sowings, and pumpkin and squash should be raised to prevent rot. Apples and pearsare ready to go, though sadly we haven’t had the rain to swell the fruit this year!And at the tail end of this harvest, I’m already planning next year. Broad beans can be sown for anearly crop and onion sets and garlic cloves should be in by the end of the month. I’m definitelylooking into drought-tolerant varieties for the Veg patch later this year as well.
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