AUGUST CLIPPINGS

TAKE CUTTINGS FROM TENDER PELARGONIUMS AND HELIOTROPES TO OVERWINTER FROST FREE.

You can set several to a 9cm pot of equal parts multipurpose compost and grit.

PRUNE APPLE TREES TRAINED AS CORDONS OR ESPALIERS.

Long stems produced this year are cut back hard to within a few buds of older stems.

WEED AROUND BEARDED IRISES, SO THEIR RHIZOMES ARE NOT OVERSHADOWED.

Plant new ones in well-drained soil and full sun.

PLANT BIENNIALS SOWN IN MAY OR JUNE.

Sweet Williams, foxgloves and sweet rocket will fill the garden with colour from spring to summer next year.

SOW HARDY SALAD PLANTS, WILD ROCKET, LAND CRESS, HARDY LETTUCES AND MIZUNA.

They’ll need a sheltered spot or tunnel cloche protection in colder or wetter regions.

FAQ

What can I grow in a gravel driveway for a softer look?

Try common thyme, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), Sicilian chamomile (Anthemis punctata subsp. cupaniana) or Verbena bonariensis.

Why have my outdoor tomatoes turned brown and mouldy?

They are suffering from fungal tomato (or potato) blight and are unlikely to recover. If you can, grow tomatoes under glass next year or choose blight-resistant basket or container-type ‘Losetto’ or tall, cordon-type ‘Crimson Crush’.