Maggie Baldwin shares her August garden notes, with advice on caring for lavender, making the most of a glut of summer produce and adapting gardens to hotter, drier weather, plus news from Thetford Garden and Allotment Club (some entries pictured below).
We have had a very hot summer so far and my garden is certainly slightly crispy at the edges, not helped by a hosepipe ban! Climate change is definitely affecting our weather, with wetter winters and increasingly long hot spells in the summer. We gardeners are all going to have to make adjustments to how we garden, growing more drought-tolerant plants.
The town looks so beautiful with the beehive planters and wonderful hanging baskets and troughs. The bench with the little storybook bear is super and has attracted a great deal of interest; it certainly cheers the place up! The Anglia in Bloom judging took place last month and the results are eagerly awaited by the Town team and volunteers.
One group of plants that are marvellous this time of the year are dahlias; they are the national flower of Mexico. There are 60,000 cultivars and in France the cactus varieties are known as Les Étoiles du Diable, or Stars of the Devil! Pretty in the garden and great as cut flowers.
Lavender needs to be cut back later this month to keep the plants tidy and compact. Cut back leafy growth by about 2.5cm, but avoid cutting back hard into woody stems as these will not re-shoot.
This can be a time of the year when there is a glut of produce. Raspberries and blackcurrants can be made into jam, beetroot and onions can be pickled, and tomatoes, plums and figs make great chutney. Fruit can also be frozen for winter use or in summer puddings. Herbs can be chopped and frozen in a little water in ice cube trays and, of course, there will always be a neighbour or friend who would appreciate some fresh produce from your garden or plot!
Thetford Garden and Allotment Club held their summer show in June and 12 people made 72 entries. An early heatwave certainly affected entries to some of the classes, but the vegetables were very impressive. 5th September sees the Club hold its Open Autumn Show at the Methodist Church in Tanner Street. There are numerous classes – vegetables, flowers, fruit, culinary and crafts – so something for everyone. Schedules are available from Yvonne Rout at yvonnerout@gmail.com. Do have a go!
Enjoy your summer gardening!
Maggie Baldwin
