Episode 18: Tatton Park Flower Show & Gardening Jobs for September

Episode 18: Tatton Park Flower Show & Gardening Jobs for September

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Download: Episode 18: Tatton Park Flower Show & Gardening Jobs for September
File Size: 13.7 MB, Duration: 29' 27"

In this month’s edition of the podcast we review the 2014 RHS Tatton Park Flower show. We also look at seasonal gardening jobs to do in the garden during the month of September and a selection of plants that look good in the garden at this time of year.

Review of the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show - 1' 18"

Click here to view photos of the 2014 RHS Tatton Park flower show on our Facebook page.

  • Elements gardens with creative designs evoking the four elements of earth, wind, fire and water
  • Carnival theme across the whole show with carnival dancers
  • Young garden designer of the year; 3 finalists
  • Council Flower beds
  • Fruit and vegetable displays

For more details, read our review of the 2014 RHS Tatton Park Flower Show.

Plant of the Month - 10' 13"

Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'’Our plant of the month for September is Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'.

  • Popular Peony flowered Dahlia
  • RHS Award of Garden Merit
  • RHS Perfect for Pollinators award
  • Flowers: Bright vermilion red, semi-double 5-6cm across, long flowering, July to September
  • Make excellent cut flowers
  • Foliage: Dissected and fern-like, almost black (dark red-purple)
  • Height up to 1m, spread 50cm; staking may be required
  • Average growth rate
  • Soil: Fertile, humus-rich
  • For the best flowering performance, feed the plants weekly with a nitrogen rich fertiliser during June, then a potassium rich fertiliser when in flower
  • Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering
  • Likes full sun, but is Half-hardy (needs winter protection)
  • Recommended that the tubers are lifted in autumn, cleaned and allowed to dry naturally indoors before being stored in a frost-free place for the winter, although a thick mulch over the tubers in situ may suffice in warmer areas, but they could suffer from slug attacks, especially in heavier clay soils

Jobs in the Garden - 14' 14"

  • Transplant Evergreen Trees and Shrubs - Providing they are not too big; the younger the better, September is an excellent month to transplant evergreen trees and shrubs if you think you might have planted them in the wrong place, or you think it’s just time to re-organise a border. Prepare the hole into which the plant is to be moved into first, because when you dig the plant up you want it back in the ground as quickly as possible to prevent the roots drying out. After you have dug the hole and dug in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the base, it is time to dig up the plant. Take your time and dig as deep as you can to minimise root damage and to end up with the biggest possible root-ball. Make sure you get some help to lift the plant into the freshly dug hole. Make sure the top of the root-ball is level with the soil surface and then backfill the soil, firming down carefully with your heels as you go. Finally water daily as there will inevitably have been some root damage and the plant needs to be in ‘intensive care’ for a few weeks after the transfer.
  • Plant Spring Bulbs - Daffodils, Winter aconites, Crocuses, Hyacinths and Scillas can all be planted this month. Refer carefully to the planting instructions for each type of bulb, make sure you plant them at the correct depth and allow enough space between each bulb in the planting hole. If you have heavy, poorly drained soil in your garden, add grit or sand into the planting hole and around the crowns of the bulbs to prevent rot in wet weather.
  • Sow Grass Seed or Lay Turf - September is just about the best month to sow grass seed for a new lawn or lay turf. Or you may have worn patches of an otherwise good lawn that need repairing/re-seeding. The weather this month is usually perfect for the job because the soil is still warm and the chances of rainfall are higher.
  • A good month for new additions to the garden, usually reliably moist weather makes it a good time for planting
  • Dead-heading
  • Regular lawn mowing (raise the height of cut in very dry weather)
  • Trim border edges
  • Regularly spray roses against greenfly and black-spot
  • Water and feed containers and hanging baskets regularly
  • Take cuttings of pinks and carnations

In the Vegetable Garden - 18' 59"

  • Sow seeds inside of: Lettuce
  • Sow seeds outside of: Spinach and Radish
  • Harvest: Peas, French beans, Tomatoes, Onions, Radish, Carrots, Turnips, Beetroot, Spinach, Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Lettuce, Globe artichokes, Broad beans, Runner beans, Marrows, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Sweetcorn, Aubergine, Peppers, Pumpkins and Brussels Sprouts.

Plants of Note - 19' 44"

Two plants that we felt were worthy of note for this month are:

Hibiscus syriacus ‘White Chiffon’ – Tree Hollyhock

  • Hardy deciduous shrub
  • Native to Asia not Syria / Linnaeus wrongly named it
  • Rose of Sharon (especially in North America), Rose Mallow (United Kingdom) and St Joseph's Rod (Italy)
  • Reasonably fast growth rate
  • 2m tall, 3m spread
  • Likes full sun
  • Soil: Humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil
  • Flowers: Large White 10cm diameter, mallow like, intricate centres, August to October
  • Foliage: Shallowly lobed, dark green
  • Good for cooler areas as the flowers stand up well to the weather
  • RHS Award of Garden Merit
  • Easy-to-grow; doesn’t need much pruning once established
  • Prune young plants hard in late spring to encourage bushy growth
  • Mulch well with garden compost after pruning

Fuchsia ‘Riccartonii’

  • Half hardy (may need winter protection), deciduous shrub
  • Average growth rate
  • 2m tall, 3m spread
  • Likes full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
  • Flowers: Long flowering, purple/red dangle from arched stems, June to October
  • Foliage: Dark green with a bronze tint
  • Likes protection from cold drying winds
  • Can be used as an informal hedge
  • Water regularly with a balanced feed once a month
  • Prune in early spring
  • RHS Award of Garden Merit

Forthcoming Garden and Flower Shows - 25' 57"

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