Gardening Pete

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Herbaceous perennials

Plants like Dahlia, Chrysanthemum and Tuberous begonia grow up in spring, flower during summer and then die back to ground level in autumn. They provide stunning displays of colour but don’t need replanting each season like annuals do. When they die down, cover the area with a 55mm layer of Fiber Earth. This ensures you know where the dormant plant is (so you don’t plant something on top of it), helps control weeds and protects it from frost.

Pete

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Roses in summer

Roses are one of the best flowering plants in the garden but this abundance can put considerable stress on the plant during the summer heat. Put a 55mm thick layer of Fiber Earth around the plant to keep roots cool, control weeds, reduce the need to water, and supply nutrients naturally. Spent flowers should be removed to encourage the development of new flowers and extend the flowering season.

Pete

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Growing Hydrangea

It is possible to alter the colour of Hydrangea. To make them blue, use aluminium sulphate and lower the pH of the soil by mulching around the plant with Fiber Earth. To make Hydrangea pink, raise the pH of the soil by applying Dolomite Lime up to 4 times a year. Correct pruning is also important. Once the flowers have finished, cut these stems back. Do not trim stems which have not flowered as these will flower next year.

Pete

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Creepers

Many gardeners are reluctant to grow vegetable “creepers” such as melons, squash or cucumbers because they creep over the ground taking up “too much space”. There are two ways to tackle this:

1. Control the spread by taking the growing tip and winding it around so the plant grows in a circular “coil” rather than spreading out randomly.
2. Grow the plant as a vine on a frame. This is particularly effect with cucumber where the fruit does not weigh too much. For melons the fruit needs to be supported so it does not break off under its own weight as it matures.

Pete

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Pruning peaches and nectarines

There are two schools of thought as to when to prune peaches and nectarines –

1. as soon as they have finished fruiting in the warmer, drier months when the chances of fungal disease entering cuts is reduced.
2. In the more traditional winter months.

I suppose it depends how wet and humid the seasons are in your region. There is no argument on how to prune though. Firstly, remove all damaged and diseased wood. Then remove any inward growing branches. The aim is to end up with a vase shaped tree, as this allows sun into the centre to ripen fruit and for improved air circulation around the tree reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Both also fruit on last season’s growth – which supports the “pruning immediately after fruiting camp” as there will be a flush of late winter growth which will produce fruit next season. If the pruning is done in winter do not cut the tips of branches back too much as this will remove fruiting wood for the coming season. Be sure to treat any larger cuts – more than 5cm - with a good pruning paste to prevent disease entering the cut.

Pete

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Potatoes

Early crop varieties should already be in the ground but main crop varieties, such as Rua, Maris Anchor and Ilam Hardy, can still be planted. They will take approximately 3 to 4 months to mature, so in cooler areas you will want to have them planted to allow this time before the first frosts are likely to arrive. Prepare the area you will grow them in by digging deeply adding up to 50% Fiber Earth to the existing soil. This will give the area a soft soil into which the tubers can form easily. Mound up the soil in rows and plant tubers into these rows. For best results when storing the potatoes for future use allow the plant to flower and begin dying down before harvesting, or in frost free areas tubers can be left in the ground for future harvesting.

Pete

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Tomatoes

It is hard to beat sweet home grown, vine ripened tomatoes in summer salads. However, tomato plants can be prone to blight and mildew diseases. To reduce the risk of these problems, remove the lower leaves to improve ventilation around the plant. Also apply a mulch of Fiber Earth around 55mm deep – keeping it about 10mm from the stem – to reduce water splashing soil onto the plant. The Fiber Earth will also keep the roots cool and moist as well as supply the plant with nutrients naturally.

Pete

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Planting fruit trees

Plant fruit trees in July and August. Dig a hole twice the depth and twice the width of the bag the tree is in, and mix the soil 50/50 with Fiber Earth. Refill the hole so when the tree is set in the hole the top of the bag is level with the surrounding soil. Remove the bag, place the tree in the hole and fill with soil. Firm down with your heel. Ensure the tree is well-watered and well-stacked. Apply a 55mm layer of Fiber Earth to control weeds and help keep the tree moist.

Pete

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Herbs

Herbs are easy to grow and don’t require much attention. Some can be quite aggressive growers (such as Mint, Oregano and some Thymes) and are best grown in pots. Others are very happy anywhere they get full sun. Most herbs need to be kept trimmed back to encourage new growth and prevent them from going to seed or becoming woody. Keep them well-watered and feed regularly with seaweed or fish fertilisers. A mulch of Fiber Earth will also help keep the plant moist and promote strong growth. However, Fiber Earth should not be used in pots.

Pete

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Healthy vegetables?

If your vegetable plants are growing strongly with lots of healthy leaves but your lettuces will not produce a heart, or your zucchini and cucumber will not set, or your tomato plants produce very few tomatoes, your soil most likely has too much nitrogen. This is often caused by using too many sheep pellets, blood and bone or other fertilisers high in nitrogen, or a lot of compost. Applying a little Sulphate of Potash around the plants will help correct this problem.

Pete

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Dirt in your lettuce

Do you get dirt splashed into your lettuce, cabbage or other leaf vegetables? Apply a mulch of Fiber Earth 35 to 55mm thick around the plants (ensure it’s 10mm-15mm from the stem) to help prevent this problem.

Pete