What has this rambler been brandishing her secateurs over this week, I wonder? Not these sunflowers, certainly, as they are probably over 3 metres or 10ft tall, and I would need a ladder to cut any blooms. I usually grow coppery-coloured ‘Velvet Queen’, but this year have also sown ‘Earth Walker’, another dark variety, neither of which would be expected to grow above a more manageable 2m or so, and I don’t know where the yellow blooms have come from. Perhaps I could manage to reach some blooms for a Monday vase…?
It’s one of summer’s ‘rites of passage’, cutting out the raspberry canes that have fruited. Double cropping these autumn fruiting varieties means a heavy crop in the summer, followed by a lighter crop in the autumn and towards winter, but the new growth that will produce the latter desperately needed to be tied in, which I leave till the main crop is on the wane. 24lbs of raspberries later, I was finally able to do that and can now walk comfortably between the two rows again. Whatever has happened in the rest of the garden, it has certainly been a good year for raspberries – and not over yet!
Fortunately, no cutting is required to restrict the growth of dark Magnolia ‘Susan’, which in her joi de vivre has begun to overshadow the roses in the gallery bed. The latter (The Mayflower’ and ‘England’s Rose’) have done better than ever before, possibly benefitting from increased sunlight due to neighbourly tree lopping, and it would be a shame if this improvement was cut short. There used to be an additional fence section behind the magnolia, and its removal gave the magnolia licence to break free; however, one branch has now been pulled back and tied into the fence, and a short stake should enable the main stem to be
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It has been busy in the garden recently, although perhaps it always is, juggling the less exciting seasonal maintenance with more gratifying tweaks and improvements. A number of new plants have been ordered, although where possible I have moved plants from elsewhere or used leftovers from those grown for sale. Meanwhile, the garden ticks over by itself, albeit slowing down but bringing joy with every new bloom, like a fresh flush of roses on ‘Strawberry Hill’ (above), currently awaiting a new structure to support its abundance of blooms during the season, now likely to be a winter project.
Weeds, also known as plants out of place, are part of gardening. Tiny plants crop up in areas where you least expect them or alongside other plants, where they compete for the same resources. Some weeds are easy to remove while others require more time and effort. If you have an organic garden or want to minimize using herbicides and chemicals in your garden, you likely spend ample time pulling weeds. And you may wonder if pouring boiling water is an effective option to kill weeds naturally.
For the first time in many weeks, or so it seems, rain stopped me from getting out in the garden – no, that’s not true, it deterred me for a while but it wasn’t raining heavily so I girded my loins and went for a belated first-thing-in-the-morning ramble, ducking under drooping climbers and lifting my skirts (decorously!) as I passed overhanging borders. Taking my secateurs, I accomplished some deadheading whilst rambling, picked some tomatoes in the greenhouse, planted out some seed-sown Lychnis coronaria on the terraced beds in the rose garden and pondered what I might include in today’s Six on Saturday, the meme hosted by Jim of Garden Ruminations.
Who wouldn’t want an endless supply of versatile cut flowers right at home for decoration? But a bouquet a day from the supermarket will surely drive you to bankruptcy! Hence, we show you how to grow your own cut flower garden straight from seeds—the cheapest and most consistent way to enjoy beautiful blooms inside your home!
After tasting morel mushrooms foraged from the wild—or forking over big money to buy morels at your local farm market—you just might be wondering if you can grow morel mushrooms at home. The answer is yes! With patience, of course. Including the white Morchella rufobrunnea, the yellow Morchella americana, and the black Morchella angusticeps, there are many species of morels. In this article, I’ll share information about this unique mushroom and fill you in on how to grow morel mushrooms in your yard or garden. Of course, to succeed with mushroom cultivation in general—and when learning how to grow morel mushrooms, in particular—it helps
Cuttings are a popular and accessible way to propagate your plants. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, making your own cuttings can be highly satisfying. In this article, we'll explore the world of plant cuttings and provide practical tips on how to take cuttings from various plant species such as the pancake plant, hydrangea, monstera, and orchid. We'll answer frequently asked questions and share useful tools to make the process easier.
Well, I did it: after a few light showers, I took the plunge and moved the roses as planned, breaking all recognised rules about moving and replanting. The existing roses in the rose garden are now planted closely together in groups of 3 of the same variety, to give the impression of larger bushes, together with the new additions making a total of eight varieties in the enlarged bed, leaving the terraced beds either side of the bus shelter empty for some hardy perennials.
It’s August already, and the holiday season is just around the corner! If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom extra pretty during the festive season, now’s the time to act. As summer peaks, this is the prime time to coax your cactus into producing more flowers. Here’s what you do!
MyPlate, a visual nutritional tool from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, supports incorporating positive dietary practices by encouraging the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy in schools, governmental programs, and homes. MyPlate recommends 2 cups of whole fruit per day for an individual 14 years of age or older on a 2,000-calorie diet. A great choice of fruit to incorporate on your plate for August would be a melon. Melons can be a summertime favorite or a simple sweet treat!
Taking summer cuttings is easy to do and can be done with so many plants. Early summer is a great time to give it a go as the plants are actively growing, so your cuttings will root easily. If you’re growing tender plants, taking cuttings is also a good way to make sure you have extra plants in case of a harsh winter.