How can we already be in August?
If you're anything like me, it seems we've just got started on summer, and the start of school is just around the corner. (I saw Hallowe'en displays at a store just south of the border the other day - get real!)
Up to Tuesday night's heavy rains, our biggest worry has been watering. Our garden here is finally thriving, though the tomatoes are far, far behind.
Our raspberry crop was wonderful and the three little blueberry bushes we planted finally proved their worth.
We are enjoying green beans from the garden at our table every night and beets are not far behind.
My husband's dahlias are strutting their stuff, definitely the showstoppers in our back garden, while the tall hollyhocks and phlox take the show in the front.
Our hanging baskets have been neglected this year - we usually fertilize them with every watering and this year they have received none.
They are motoring along, but far from being spectacular - our own fault for being pre-occupied.
Keep up the weeding and watering and remember a deep watering once or twice a week is better than a light watering every day.
The exception for this is, of course, hanging baskets and pots, which may need even twice a day, depending on their location.
Water them well - until the water comes out the bottom, then repeat.
Keep your hanging baskets and annuals fertilized (do as I say, not as I do) and dead heading is a must unless you are collecting seeds. Staking is easier done before being needed to avoid that pony tail look of a too tightly propped plant.
If you find a plant in a smaller pot that is wilting, I find the best fix is to immerse the entire pot into a bucket of water in the shade for a few hours.
Most will spring back, but often I find a few leaves that are fried to remind me of my negligence.
Yes, you can still add to your garden from your local nurseries, all of whom have great sales about now. Just keep your new additions watered and remember the real estate of gardening: Location, location, location. If it says full sun, it means full sun, and the same for shade.
We have lots of time left in the gardening season, despite what it feels like. Enjoy the summer for its mild nights, evening scents in the garden and the fullness of the flowers.
Walk about and enjoy the gardens of Richmond - we have so many gorgeous ones in our midst. I invite you all to visit Paulik Gardens - just north of Blundell on Ash Street.
The volunteers who have given their time need to be thanked for the incredible job they have done in turning this park into one jewel of a garden. Every year it has improved and is quite something.
See you in the garden!
Deb Brodie is a local gardener and a member of the Richmond Garden Club. She can be reached at debinthegarden@ gmail.com.
