Although the summer is winding down and leading us into autumn, there’s still plenty to enjoy as I look around the garden. Although some plants are well passed their best, some of my roses are still going alongside asters, chrysanthemums, Verbena bonariensis, Cosmos bipinnatus, plumed flowers of Miscanthus sinensis grass and colourful pops of in-your-face dahlias.
I feel like I’ve somehow missed weeks in the garden this year and I’m still behind in getting plants staked and supported, yanking weeds and putting things into better places, and it’s already time to think about winding down for winter.
But there’s plenty still to do, particularly with the fruit and little bit of veg (are tomatoes fruit?) I’m growing. I’ve cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes growing in growbags and there should still be enough sun to ripen them this month. It’s a good idea to pinch out the tops of the plants so they concentrate their energy into fruit that is already set, rather than trying to grow more. Water and feed regularly, cut off the lower leaves to ensure any sun can get to the fruit (veg?) and make sure they are tied in firmly.
When I think the best of the summer is over, I can still ripen them by cutting the tomatoes off the plant while keeping them on the vine. Put them somewhere warm – a spare room, conservatory or sunny windowsill – on cardboard or newspaper, and nearly all will ripen. (I’ve not tried the banana tip but have heard that works too.)
I have a couple of peach trees in the garden, but only the one that is sheltered seems to fruit at all. Both suffer from peach leaf curl but it doesn’t seem to affect the fruit. This year looks like a reasonable crop which I’ll harvest now – hopefully before the wasps get to them.
Early this month is the last chance to give my ‘stepover’ apple trees a prune. First, I’ll check for and remove dead, diseased or damaged stems and any upright shoots growing higher than I need. Then I’ll look for any of this year’s shoots that are 18-23cm long and cut them back to three or four leaves.
As well as slowly winding down in the garden, the Horticultural Society starts its new season of events with the annual Autumn Show on Saturday 2 September. Perhaps some of you had a go at entering some of the flowers, fruit and veg from your garden or plot, a houseplant or two, your photos or cookery. Maybe you’ve come along to Dedham’s Assembly Rooms to see what your friends and neighbours have exhibited.
With the show over, we turn to our line-up of eight speakers – one a month except in January – and it’s a fantastic programme this year. Taking place on the first Wednesday of the month at the Assembly Rooms, our talks are a great introduction to the Society and a chance to meet other members from the village and further afield, while learning more about plants and gardening.
This year our speakers draw their expertise from the Royal Horticultural Society, BBC Gardeners World magazine, the National Garden Scheme and local attractions like Hyde Hall and the Place for Plants. They’ll talk to us about the evolution of a garden over 30 years, biodiversity, and wildlife, container and dry gardening. We also host a Christmas supper, which is a great way to discover what we get up to.
We’re always looking for ideas for speakers – what kind of information would you come along to hear about? Get in touch through our website.
April will bring our Spring Show which is all about the daffodil and other bulbs, so start thinking now about the bulbs you can plant this autumn for wonderful scent and colour as the weather starts to warm. It’s followed by a Plant Sale when we encourage members and casual visitors to ‘bring and buy’ flowers, vegetable and even house plants in front of Dedham church. So whether you’re out in the garden, on the plot or coming along to learn from our events, enjoy!
Dedham Horticultural Society 