THE ALMANAC - AUGUST

LAWNS
1. Spike lawns that are waterlogged as a result of recent rains. Roots need air to survive and prosper .
2. Keep lawns mowed were possible to allow wind and sun to help dry out the surface.
3. Lawns on thin soils may benefit from a high phosphate feed to encourage the strengthening of the root system ready for Winter, instead of soft lush top growth that could suffer from the cold and weaken the grass.
4. Prepare any areas which are to be grassed over later in the year by digging and removing any perennial weed that comes to the surface. Leave to settle and spray any new weed that emerges with a translocated weedkiller.
5. If moss is a problem then feel free to lightly scarify with a machine if you possess one or can hire one. This will enable air to enter the soil which also helps with the drying out process.
6. Continue to edge the lawn thus keeping it in pristine condition to look at.

VEGETABLES
1. Continue to sow spring cabbage, turnips, oriental veg and overwintering onions.
2. Irregular watering means "blossom end rot " to those of you who grow tomatoes and this disease is not a welcome sight as it will mean the end of your crop.
3. Weeds should be eradicated on sight as they will drink water intended for your plants.
4. Finish harvesting second early potatoes, especially if it turns wet, as slugs will become active.
5. Continue earthing up celery, putting a layer of paper between the stems and the soil.
6. Take care when thinning out any late sown carrot seedlings to prevent the scent released attracting carrot fly females. To protect them from carrot fly, use fleece or enviromesh coverings.

GREENHOUSE
1. Water houseplants freely when they are in growth.
2. Feed plants when necessary, usually once every one or two weeks with a liquid feed.
3. Damp down greenhouses on hot days to maintain humidity levels.
4. Cyclamen that have been resting over the summer can be started back into growth for winter bloom. Watering and careful replacement of the top layer of compost should be sufficient to 'wake' them.
5. Hyacinths, 'Paperwhite' daffodils, Freesias and Lachenalia corms can be planted now in bowls to achieve flowers in time for Xmas. Once they have put on 2.5cm (1in) growth , they can be taken into a cool room , only to be brought into a warm room in time to flower for the festive period. Bulbs sold as 'prepared' can be forced by plunging the planted bowls in a cold, dark place for a few months, then bringing them straight inside to flower.
6. Check plants regularly for sign of glasshouse whitefly, leafhopper, red spider, mealybugs and scale insect.

TREES AND SHRUBS
1. Prune Wisteria and shrubs such as Pyracantha after flowering.
2. Hebes and Lavenders can be given a light prune after flowering.
3. Give hedges a final trim over now. They will only grow a little before cold weather stops growth.
4. Semi-ripe cuttings can still be taken to propagate many common garden shrubs (e.g. box, Ceanothus, lavender).
5. Rhododendrons Azaleas and Clematis can be propagated by layering.
6. Mid to late August is a good time of the year to apply biological controls for Vine Weevil. Grubs will be starting to hatch and soil temperatures are now suitable for the nematodes to be effective. Target vunerable plants such as Rhododendron, Camellia and containerised plants such as Fuchsia.

ROSES
1. Continue to deadhead roses of any ilk as this will save energy being wasted (Yes energy is even being saved with plants - thats why they are green! (All laugh)
2. Rambling roses can be pruned right now. This will give you another nice flush in a few weeks time.
3. Continue to spray for Black Spot, Rust and Mildew as these are debilitating diseases for this plant and can weaken them badly if allowed to get a hold.
4. Continue to feed with a good fertilizer containing high levels of potash. Nutrients will have been leached from the ground with the recent levels of rainfall and will need to be replaced.
5. Keep beds tidy and weed free as good husbandry is essential to the well being of your garden.
6. Tie loose shoots in of climbers and ramblers as these can do untold damage to passers by and especially those with limited eyesight.

PERENNIALS
1. Deadhead any plants looking jaded so that new buds can be promoted taking the plants on into their final fling of Summer.
2. Cut back plants that have now finished for the season. This helps tidy the garden and removes hiding places for pests.
3. Don't cut off the heads of ornamental grasses as these add interest for the winter
4. Pinks and  Carnations can be propagated now by layering.
5.Earwigs can decimate Dahlias so set traps for them or suffer the consequences.
6. Gather together some ideas of varieties of bulbs that you would like to plant this Autumn. Bulbs will start rolling in to Garden Centres through August and into September so don't miss out.