Monty Don has shared a range of gardening jobs that should be completed in August – one of them can be done in less than five minutes.
The gardening guru took to his monthly garden blog to urge gardeners to water three specific plants if they want to see blooms next spring and early summer.
Watering is the most important aspect of caring for your garden plants. Depending on the exact species, most outdoor plants prefer moist soil.
How often you’ll need to water your outdoor plants depends on things like the weather and the season.
When it’s sweltering in the summer, plants need more water. But when cold or wet weather sets in, they’ll need less.
So which plants need more water in August? According to the 69-year-old, these consist of camellias azaleas and rhododendrons.
As the three plants form their flower buds in late summer and autumn, the display that they give you next spring is largely determined over the coming weeks.
Monty warned: “If they are too dry the buds will not form properly and those that are made quite often subsequently drop off in the spring before flowering as a result of dehydration the previous autumn.”
So give them a “good soak” – with rainwater if at all possible – especially if they are growing in a container, and do so each week for the next couple of months.
Camellias need regular, consistent moisture but dislike soggy soil. Test for dryness several inches into the soil before watering, then saturate the roots.
Check frequently with your hand during the first two years, especially in dry or hot conditions, or if your camellia is potted.
Azaleas need about an inch of water a week. Use your fingers to check the soil moisture level just below the surface around your plant. If it’s dry, water slowly to allow the soil a chance to absorb the water.
Some foliage droop is normal in dry weather on hot afternoons in full sun locations. Wilted leaves that curl inward and droop in the early morning may be a sign that your azalea needs watering. Do not over-water because soggy soil promotes root diseases.
Watering rhododendrons deeply keeps them robust. By watering thoroughly, you encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil, which in turn makes the plant more drought-resistant.
Aim to moisten the entire root zone, which can be several inches below the surface for mature plants.
