Gardeners World episode 12 2020: At Longmeadow, Monty adds a variety of herbs that thrive in shade to the herb garden and adds summer annuals to the cottage garden.
Nick Bailey has taken a rare opportunity to design his town garden from scratch and gives tips on how to plan and lay out a path, and Carol Klein celebrates the hardy geranium and the abundance of varieties that give masses of colour to the summer garden. In Wolverhampton, a couple have worked together to create a garden full of mystery and imagination, and there are more viewers’ videos of what people have been getting up to in their own gardens.
Gardeners World episode 12 2020
Watering
Watering is key to growing plants well, so here we look at how to get it just right. This not only means providing the water our gardens need, but using it wisely. Water is a precious resource and supplies in the UK are under pressure from the effects of climate change, population increase and the need to protect the environment, such as river levels for wildlife.
Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water. The foliage and soil surface is also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases.
Plants start to transpire in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and out through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. Evening watering is also fine, as the cooler conditions mean less water is lost to evaporation.
Growing mint
Mint is a perennial herb grown for its leaves. They are wonderful infused in hot water to make a refreshing tea, chopped and added to many dishes, or used to make mint sauce (a classic addition to roast lamb).
There are many different varieties of mint to choose from with leaves that smell completely different. Not all are good for culinary use, so choose what you grow carefully. Give plants plenty of water, especially during hot, dry weather.
When plants have finished flowering in summer, cut flowered shoots back to 5cm (2in) above the surface of the compost. Avoid growing different varieties of mint close together, whether in pots or the ground, as they can lose their individual scent and flavour.
When growing in pots, rejuvenate congested clumps by upturning the container, removing the rootball and splitting it in half. Repot a portion in the same container using fresh compost.
Dividing plants
Dividing perennials regularly will ensure healthy, vigorous plants that will continue to perform year after year. It also offers the opportunity to multiply your plants.
Most perennials benefit from division every two to three years to maintain health and vigour. If you want to increase the number of plants you have by dividing them, the task can be done more regularly.
Plant divisions as soon as possible and water them in well. They can either be replanted in the same spot, taking the opportunity to mix in a little garden compost or other soil improver first, or moved to a new part of the garden. Alternatively, pot up individually to build up size, overwintering pots in a frost-free environment.
