January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

General Care

A good month for cutting hedges so that new growth hardens in time for the winter. Also a good month for taking and rooting cuttings.

Flower beds

Deadhead herbaceous plants, remove dead blooms from roses, remove dead flower stems from carnations and pinks. Thin out chrysanthemums blooms to increase size of blooms if required. Continuously watch out for pests and spray as required.

Lawn

Lawns need continuous care throughout the summer. Mow as required but do not mow as much in dry weather. Make sure the lawn is well watered in dry spells. Weeds must be kept in check. In summer months lawns can wear out so be ready to repair as required.

Pond

Oxygenator plants grow rapidly so thin out as required. Keep an eye out for pests on foliage above the water level. Blanket weed can still be a problem. Hot weather means lower water levels, top up as necessary but remember that too much tap water is not good for ponds. Hot periods mean less oxygen in the water. If you have a pump run this daily to help oxygenate the water.

Greenhouse

Now is the time to carry out maintenance on greenhouses and frames ready for the winter. That means paint timber and check heating systems. Take cuttings of plants as required.

Vegetables

Sow lettuce and Brussels sprouts for winter use. Sow spring vegetables. Harvest any crops that are ready including sweet corn. You may have runner beans, french beans, beetroot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, marrow, courgette, peas, radish, shallots,

Indoors

Remember to water and feed. Do not forget holiday arrangements. Houseplants need water like any other plant. They can survive without sunlight for a couple of weeks. There are commercial indoor watering systems available.