What to do in the garden August week 2

WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN FOR
AUGUST WEEK 2

Susan Explains Green Manures
Vegetables such as broad beans and peas have finished producing by now. So don't just leave the soil to grow weeds in their empty space, grow a green manure instead. It will stop those awful weeds growing and can be dug into the ground in March next year. It will provide nutrients for the soil and prevent nutrients being washed away over winter. Try clover or grazing rye for sowing now.

Semi-ripe Cuttings
August is an ideal time to take semi-ripe cuttings of many deciduous shrubs. Among those which do well are choisya, potentilla and lavender. Get a sharp knife and chop off a 5 to 10cm shoot which has some older growth at the base and newer, soft growth nearer the tip. Dip the base of the cutting in water then rooting compound, make a hole in the compost and place the cutting in it.

Gently firm the compost down and place the cutting in a warm position which is receives some light but not direct sunlight. Water the compost from the base by putting it into a bowl of water. The cutting will stand the best chance if it is in a propagator or a plastic bag. Remove the plastic bag as soon as the cuttings show signs that they have rooted, this will normally be after about three weeks. The cuttings can be moved to their final position mid spring the next year.

Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken from the following plants:

Artemesia	Lobelia cardinalis
Agastache	Osteospermum
Aster	Penstemon
Arctotis	Rosemary
Diascia	Salvia
Fuchsia	Thyme
Gaura	Trycirtis
Heliathemum	Verbena
Lavender	Pelargonium

Learn more about semi-ripe cutting by clicking here.

Hedges
Mid August is a good time to trim your hedge. Growth will have slowed, making this the last cut of the year. At the same time the shoots will not yet have become woody, making them easier to cut.

The right shape is essential for a hedge. It should be wider at the base than at the top. This will make it much less liable to wind and snow damage, and it just looks better.

Battery or mains powered hedge trimmers are the best tool for the job. The mains powered ones especially, are one of the most dangerous of garden tools. The wounds they can inflict are very serious so read the instructions provided by the manufacturers.

If a hole has appeared in the hedge put a strong stake into the ground in the middle of the hole. Tie surrounding stems and branches to the stake such that they are pointing slightly downwards. stem which are growing downwards will be vigorous and put out lots of shoots to cover up the hole in a short time.

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