health
Monty Don urges gardeners to do urgent job now and reap the benefits next year
August can quickly become one of the most important in a gardener's calendar, as it can prepare you for not only the autumn but also the summer to come.
TL;DR
- August is an ideal time for gardeners to prepare for autumn and future summers.
- Gardening specialist Monty Don suggests taking semi-ripe cuttings from healthy plants in August.
- Cuttings should be taken from current season's wood that has started to harden.
- Prepare cuttings by stripping lower leaves, leaving less than an inch of foliage.
- Plant cuttings in a container with gritty compost or perlite, ensuring good drainage.
- Cuttings initially only require oxygen and water to form roots.
- Once roots form, indicated by new growth or visible roots, cuttings need nutrition and better compost.
- The process takes about four to five weeks for viable roots to form.
- Rooted cuttings can be moved to fresh compost and overwintered before spring replanting.
- Taking cuttings in the morning is best as plants are more hydrated, though evenings are also acceptable.