Magazine - Summer 2023

Gardening tips for summer

About the writer

Roy Down is an engagement and development worker at Petrus as well as the chairman of Rochdale In Bloom. His role at Petrus is to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of volunteers through gardening, as well as those referred via NHS social prescribing.

Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale (PIER), is homelessness charity Petrus’ Community Allotment located on Belfield Road in Rochdale. It’s a beautiful, relaxing and therapeutic piece of land that grows fruit and vegetables and a member of the wider Incredible Edibles network, representing Rochdale. The Incredible Edibles vision is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food. As a team, we wanted to share some of the tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way

As the weather starts to warm up, one of our top priorities is making sure our new plants are well-hydrated, so we’ve been collecting rainwater from nearby sheds and buildings. It’s a great way to conserve tap water and help the environment. We’ve also been adding organic matter to the soil to help it retain moisture. We’re hoping all this effort pays off with some stunning, healthy plants!

Spring is a great time for planting and taking cuttings, depending on your local weather. And as summer approaches, think about your lawn maintenance schedule. Our team supported the ‘no mow May’ campaign and seeing beautiful wildflowers we wouldn’t normally see if we were mowing as usual.

We also use peat-free compost on our allotment and recommend Recycle for Greater Manchester’s compost for food and garden waste. We’re also busy planting up our hanging baskets with strawberries this year! And don’t forget to keep an eye on your tomato plants and pinch out any side shoots. If you have a Wisteria, regular pruning can help keep it in shape and encourage growth.

In July, we’ll once again be competing in the RHS Tatton Flower Show. This will be our fourth time exhibiting at the show, having previously been awarded Bronze, Silver and Silver Gilt RHS medals, as well as the highly acclaimed People’s Choice Award, which is voted for by show visitors. Petrus is seeking out sponsors and donations to help the team to build the garden and would be grateful for your support.

In August, we’re excited for the North West in Bloom competition and a chance to showcase our allotment. So, enjoy spending time in your garden or green space this summer and boost your health and wellbeing.

June

• If your tulips have stopped flowering, lift and divide them, store them once the foliage has died down.
• Plant some more salad crops.
• This is a great time to plant out dahlias; they thrive in a warm sunny spot.
• Your roses, especially climbing roses will be thriving now; tie up any stems horizontally.

July

• Keep deadheading your flowers in your hanging baskets and pots; this will encourage more flowers.
• If you have a hydrangea, take some cuttings from a non-flowering shoot, just below a pair of leaves.
• Petrus volunteers love garlic, the ones we planted in spring will be ready for lifting and drying out.

August

• Cut dahlia blooms regularly and give them a bit of tomato feed as well.
• Keep watering those salad crops regularly, especially lettuce.
• Cut back your hardy geraniums, you may get some more late flowers.
• If you have a greenhouse or polytunnel, make sure they are well ventilated. We often leave our polytunnel doors open in August.
• When your roses are at the end of their flowering, save a few flowers to let them develop rosehips; this will be a great source of food for the birds in autumn.