July in The Garden
By Anne Edge-Rowe & Ivor Spade
From Forum
The Magazine of Chester City Council
July in the garden By Anne Edge-Rowe & Ivor Spade
There was a pounding on the door. It was 3a.m. in the morning. Ivor, considerate soul that he is said, "you go". My response was not polite. The pounding continued relentlessly . Ivor turned over and went back to sleep. So downstairs I went.
I opened the door. Facing me was the biggest man I have ever seen. He was huge.
At least seven foot six high and almost as wide. I was quaking.
"My name is Marion Clogger-Wayne, I'm an old chum of Ivor's and I was just passing so I thought ??." "At 3 in the morning", I screamed. He burst into tears fell on his knees bubbled endless apologies like a little child. Hearing the noise, Ivor for the first time in his life, was at my side in a flash.
What's this got to do with gardening. Not a lot except that Marian Clogger-Wayne; yes that is his real name, used to be in charge of the orchid house when Ivor was in the forces. And as for the name, his mum was a Clogger, his Dad a Wayne and he is directly related to a very famous, now deceased, American who used to drink milk. He stayed with us for a fortnight. I am now an expert on orchids. Any queries please send them to me via Mike McCabe.
July is a good month for propagating from softwood cuttings such as Chrysanthemums. Clematis, Dahlia, Delphinium, and Hebe. Take the cuttings about two - three inches long with two leaves left on, cut with a sharp knife cleanly at a leaf axil, dip the cutting into hormone rooting powder and insert into gritty compost, keep moist and cover with glass or plastic. Rooting should take place within a few weeks, when you can then pot up the cutting taking care to protect them from the wind and making sure they don't dry out.
Talking of watering don't forget your garden plants during dry spells if we ever have any! Watering substantially at regular intervals is far more beneficial than a quick spraying round daily. Enlist the help of a friendly neighbour (not Pandora) to take care of your baskets and tubs if you're going away this month. Try and run a hoe over any open soil in the garden before you do go away this should ensure that you won't be faced with a large crop of weeds when you return.
We have mentioned in the past that egg shells are invaluable in the garden, so why not try Ivor's tip and mix equal parts of egg shell with caster sugar and add to the soil. This provides nourishment to the plants (I did wonder what Ivor was doing the other day when I caught him using the kitchen scissors to cut up the egg shells, he assured me that this method sharpens the scissors at the same time!)
We've also planted some parsley near our roses, not only does this enhance the scent of the roses but it repels greenfly and encourages bees. Before he left Clogger reminded us that when roses are in full bloom that's the time to take some of the unblemished petals to make pot pourri. He really really was quite a sweet cultured highly sensitive man. But then I always said the 'big uns' are best (Anne).
Good gardening. Anne and Ivor.