August 2024 — Monty Don
TOMATOESTomatoes are coming as quite a bit as their prime harvesting interval however to increase this and ensure that all the present inexperienced tomatoes fully ripen over the approaching month or so there are some points the tomato grower ought to do now. The primary is to strip off the underside half of the leaves on every plant. This will more and more let in mild and air in order that the rising fruits get additional photograph voltaic and likewise the additional air motion will scale back the prospect of illness. This course of will in all probability be continued weekly till there are not any leaves left in the least. In the reduction of the watering until it is fairly scorching to keep away from the fruit splitting however preserve a weekly feed of liquid seaweed or, within the occasion you would possibly make it, home-made comfrey feed. Each are glorious for maximising flower and fruit manufacturing. FEEDING CONTAINERSAugust will in all probability be the most well-liked month of the 12 months and though the nights are beginning to be cooler (and noticeably shorter) the events will in all probability be sweltering and a great deal of gardens begin to present the pressure of drought. Any crops in pots do want frequent watering and feeding to maintain up the extravagance of their late summer season season current. I feed all our containers weekly (on Feeding Friday) with liquid seaweed or home-made comfrey feed. Each are excessive in potash which conjures up flower formation and helps maintain the current going strongly appropriate into autumn. IF YOU ARE GOING AWAYIf you do get away, albeit for many individuals not far this 12 months, put collectively the yard so that it could nonetheless look good within the occasion you get as soon as extra – considerably if it should be left for 2 weeks. Mow the yard, weed, and assure crops are efficiently supported. Pots are higher than extra more likely to endure in scorching native climate and an irrigation system is true, however at very least give them a wonderful soak before you go. Ideally change smaller pots into the shade and group them collectively which is able to scale back evaporation. If in case you have obtained candy peas or greens able to reap ask associates or neighbours to return and choose them.TAKE CUTTINGSAs August progresses semi-ripe cuttings taken from present season’s picket that has began to harden off are an rising variety of accessible and likewise an rising variety of further extra more likely to root rapidly.Frequently select healthful, sturdy, straight enchancment, free from any flowers or flower buds. Upon getting taken provides from the plant and positioned it all through the polythene bag go and pot them up instantly. Strip off all decrease leaves and aspect shoots in order that solely an inch or quite a bit a lot much less of foliage stays. Lower the naked stem to measurement with a pointy knife or secateurs and bury it in a container of very gritty or sandy compost and even pure perlite. To type good roots the plant wouldn’t want any weight-reduction plan aside from oxygen and water so regardless of provides you set the plant into should be unfastened, drain efficiently and under no circumstances dry out. As rapidly as a result of the roots are shaped and likewise you see indicators of enchancment then it might presumably begin to want bigger weight-reduction plan and want potting into bigger compost. Put this someplace heat and lightweight however not in full photograph voltaic or on a south-facing windowsill because it’d scorch. Water it efficiently after which maintain it moist with a each day spray from a hand mister to assist cease the leaves drying out before new roots have time to type. Most cuttings taken correct now of 12 months will take between 4 and 6 weeks to produce viable roots however you discover that the roots have shaped within the occasion you see updated new enchancment or, when lifting the pot, see skinny roots exhibiting from the underside of the pot. For the time being the cuttings will in all probability be away from the pot and potted on individually into updated peat-free potting compost and put apart over winter before planting out subsequent spring. In principal it’s best to take cuttings all through the morning whereas the plant is filled with moisture however in practise it’s one issue greatest accomplished as and when you find yourself minded to do it.
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TOMATOESTomatoes are coming as quite a bit as their prime harvesting interval however to increase this and ensure that all the present inexperienced tomatoes fully ripen over the approaching month or so there are some points the tomato grower ought to do now. The primary is to strip off the underside…