A FORMER royal gardener has revealed one vegetable you should plant this Bank Holiday, for a bumper autumn harvest.
With the last Bank Holiday of the summer just around the corner, many Brits are likely making plans to spend some time getting stuck in in the garden.
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And if you’re stuck on what to plant, Jack Stooks, who was a royal gardener at Highgrove Estate for 20 years has revealed a crop that thrives in hot and dry conditions.
Plant potatoes
Jack explained that the best vegetable to plant this weekend is the humble potato, as they “do really well in the heat.”
Suggesting other crops that are good to plant this month, he said, on behalf of Heart Bingo: “When it comes to vegetables, many have a relatively short cropping season, which is the window of time in which they grow, develop, and produce food that’s ready to harvest.
“In August, we’re already well into that season, so it’s important to give your plants what they need to thrive.
“Beans are another good choice. Peas and beans, for example, can be started in a glasshouse or greenhouse and then planted outdoors.
“Ideally, early rainfall helps them get established.
“But if we’re in the middle of a dry spell and they’re not watered properly, you’ll likely end up with fewer or poor-quality crops.”
Jack also revealed the exact time you should water your plants in hot weather conditions.
Watering in the early morning or the late evening, when the sun is cooler, is key”, he said
“It avoids the water evaporating before it has reached the roots.”
Preserve your lawn
Amid the hot weather we’ve been having this summer, you may have noticed that your lawn has become brown and patchy.
Although constantly watering your grass is the obvious solution, with hosepipe bans in place across the country, this is not always possible.
Jack shared that unfortunately, you sometimes have to accept that parts of your lawn will go brown, and advised focusing on maintaining a small patch, whilst letting the rest of the grass go dormant.
“Grass is tougher than it looks. Even when it seems dead, it often bounces back after a good stretch of rain, he revealed.
August gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the 10 gardening jobs to take on during the last month of summer – and the all important ones to remember if you’re going on holiday.
1. Watering plants on holiday
Think about how you’re going to water your plants if you’re going away. Irrigation systems are stupidly expensive – so ask a friend or neighbour to pop over.
2. Remember your houseplants!
For houseplants use the upside down bottle trick – where you fill a wine bottle and then tip it upside down, spout down, and stick it into the pot – the water should seep out slowly. For smaller plants you can use a thick piece of cord running from a glass of water, into the soil – so it slowly takes it up over time. Be sensible with your watering – vistit www.mains2rains.co.uk for some tips on how to conserve water in August. But use as much grey water – ie washing up water – as you can to save such a valuable resource.
3. Dig for potatoes
Second early potatoes should be ready to dig up.
4. Carry on deadheading
Use either secateurs or just pinch off the blooms with your finger and thumb. With roses, make sure you’re dead heading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of more blooms.
5. Plant strawberries
You can actually plant strawberries in late august – which will be ready next year. For the ones you already have – if they’ve got runners springing off them – try and pot them up to make more strawberries for free.
6. Prune lavenders
In late August once they’ve finished flowering cut back your lavender – always prune them back to the woody stems – but make sure you can still see some little buds.
7. Collect seeds
A lot of plants will start going to seed now – so it’s the perfect time to walk around collecting them to get free plants for next year – just make sure you label the envelopes.
8. Sow hardy annuals
Towards the end of the month, sow hardy annuals in order for them to flower next year. Try and choose sheltered spots for them.
9. Cut back roses
Prune back rambling roses and make sure they are all tied in. And in late August give your roses their last feed.
10. Keep on top of watering hanging baskets
It’s really important to keep hanging baskets hydrated – they are the first and the worst for drying out.
“By winter, you’ll probably have a lush green lawn again and wonder why you worried!
“In the meantime, avoid mowing too much to reduce stress on the lawn, conserve water where possible, and allow nature to take its course.
“It’s also part of adapting to climate change and thinking more sustainably.”
