Pick and Prune Raspberries

Summer fruiting Raspberries should be ready to harvest around now. If you have plenty of Raspberries they are suitable to freeze or to cook gently and make a puree .Old canes will be easily identifiable as they will be a darker brown and the remains of fruit clusters and leaves will most likely look a bit tatty. Younger canes will still have fresh summer foliage on and the stems will be green. You can start by untying the old canes from their wire supports and cut them to ground level. You can them tie in new canes, with spacing of around 10cm apart. Make sure you only tie in strong and healthy canes. The old canes which have been pruned out can be shredded and used as mulch.

Managing Pest and Disease

In the warm summer months, pests and disease can multiply rapidly. Greenfly and Blackfly can reproduce quite rapidly and it can be hard to control them. It is important to have a wide range of plants in your garden that will attract an array of other insects and other wildlife that can help to keep pests and disease at bay. There are many biological controls now available to help control pests. Many of these can be bought in our Garden Centre .

Planning your Holiday Garden

July and August are normally popular months for people to take holidays and with this in mind we have thought of a few pointers to help you prepare your garden for your absence.
- Try to ask a neighbour, friend or family to call into your garden and make sure your plants are watered and fed.
-Mow the lawn before you go and hopefully it wont need another cut until you get back. However do not cut it too close as it will encourage it to grow faster.
- Houseplants can be moved outside while you are on a summer break.
- You can use automatic irrigation systems as they are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Following these simple instructions should ensure that you come back to a healthy, thriving garden and not a jungle!

Gardening Tips for July

- Ensure there is water in your garden for birds and wildlife as it is getting warmer and water is harder for them to find.
- Be careful of your plants being eaten by insects, pests and disease.
- Water bedding plants regularly to avoid them drying out.
- Deadhead flowers as they fade to help encourage new growth.
- Plant autumn flowering bulbs.
- Water vegetables regularly.
- Take cuttings of plants to reproduce.
- Prune wisteria.
- Trim conifers and hedging back for healthy growth and shape.
- Its your last chance to fill borders, beds and baskets with bedding plants for summer colour.

Climbing Roses

Roses should be in full bloom throughout summer with their beautiful fragrant flowers bursting with colour. We have chosen 3 of our favourites for you to admire.

The Falstaff- These have lovely crimson purple full petaled flowers surrounded by rich foliage. These roses are strong, bushy and upright and provide a wonderful old rose fragrance.----->

Teasing Georgia- This rose has beautiful two tone yellow flowers with a centre of deep yellow and outer petals that are pale yellow. It has a good resistance to disease and flowers well each year.--->

Generous Gardener-This climbs with strong and elegant arching. It has dark green foliage and fragrant pale pink flowers.----->

Whitehalls Plant of the Month

Whitehalls plant of the month is the Penstemon. Penstemons have become very popular over recent years particularly for their flowers. They are available in a wide range of colours which produce stunning blooms over a long period during the summer. Our store stocks

Apple Blossom, Blue Springs, Garnet, Heavenly Blue, Patio Coral, Patio Wine, Raven,

Sour Grapes and White Bedder all at £7.99 in a 3Litre pot.

Grape Vines

Grape vines are a great fruit to grow. The selection of vines has progressed rapidly over the past 10 years. It is now possible to grow a choice of varieties outside that will provide dessert and wine grapes. Vines are also good as they are all self fertile and most of the outdoor varieties are self thinning and do not require much attention.

When planting grapes there are some factors that need to be considered. They need as much sun as possible so it is good to choose a south facing wall. Well drained soil is also important and if water logging is a problem for you it is advisable not to attempt growing grapes. The best soil to plant grapes in is gritty or sandy soil enriched with organic matter. Most soils can be used except clay and chalk. It is good to plant grapes in October to November or February to March. There should ideally be a space of 1.5m between each vine.

Some popular vines include Chasselas, Phoenix, Regent and Thompson Seedless.