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Mornington Garden    is open to visitors

What to do Now in August first month in  Autumn

1. Garden centres are now stocking up with a magical collections of Spring bulbs. Make a list, look at catalogues, photos, wish lists and decide what you would like and where you will plant them, ground containers etc. Tulips are the last bulbs to plant.Also as the garden is still at its height opportunity to plant so that as the leaves die back after flowering they can be hidden.
2. Cut your box headging, lay some sheeting at base to make it easier to collect trimmings and compost after.Also better to be narrow on top so as to allow sun at base of hedge.Best to cut in dull dry conditions.
3. Tip prune fruit trees, harvested fruit, if you don't have time to make jam or chutneys now freeze until you have time. Allow some broad beans and peas to ripen to produce next years seed.
4. Still time to sow carrot seeds.Plant leeks where you had potatoes growing and plant purple sprouting broccoli, which is probably the best veg to grow as it rewards you so well.If you can also perpetual spinach is a fantastic crop to have for winter harvesting. Ordinary spinach is very prone to bolting.
5. Keep on top of weeds with your Osslating Hoe ( have some in stock).Hoeing in the morning will dry out soil in the evening the opposite.
6. Keep watering. Watering tomatoes plants use a bucket and water when the soil  is dry but keep a schedule every 3 or 4 days. If the plants are in grow bags or small pots they may need more frequent watering. Also remember to pinch out the axil shuts to encourage vigour in main stems.vigour
7. Continue dead heading for continuous flowering of annuals such as sweet pea, cosmos and dahlias when the start flowering.Mark the colours of sweet pea and cosmos which will provide the seed you might like to save and any otters plants in the garden which will provide seed for saving later on in the season.
8. Take cuttings of your favourite plants. Use a mix of compost and grit erring on the grit.Keep well watered and out of direct sunlight.If leaves on cuttings are very large reduce or remove to slow down evaporation.Try to take cuttings that are about the size of a pencil and only take from a healthy plant.Place around the sides of a pot preferably a pre water soaked terra-cotta, don’t be tempted to place a cutting in the centre. Many cuttings fail so take lots. Best take cuttings in the early morning and place in a plastic bag to help them stay alive.
9. Start to prepare areas of lawn for re seeding or consider sowing with wild flowers. There are great mixes available, for bees, and butterflies.
10. Visit other gardens for ideas , including my own !!!! Have a look at the Dublin Garden Trail .