Page 48 - Real Rochdale Issue 18 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 berries this year! And don’t In August, we’re excited for • If you have a hydrangea,
Allotment located on Belfield Road in Rochdale. It’s a beautiful, relaxing and therapeutic piece forget to keep an eye on your the North West in Bloom take some cuttings from a
of land that grows fruit and vegetables and a member of the wider Incredible Edibles tomato plants and pinch out competition and a chance non-flowering shoot, just
network, representing Rochdale. The Incredible Edibles vision is to create kind, confident and any side shoots. If you have a to showcase our allotment. below a pair of leaves.
connected communities through the power of food. As a team, we wanted to share some of Wisteria, regular pruning can So, enjoy spending time in • Petrus volunteers love
the tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way. help keep it in shape and your garden or green space garlic, the ones we plant-
encourage growth. this summer and boost your ed in spring will be ready
As the weather starts to warm up, one of health and wellbeing. for lifting and drying out.
our top priorities is making sure our new In July, we’ll once again be
plants are well-hydrated, so we’ve been competing in the RHS Tatton August
collecting rainwater from nearby sheds Flower Show. This will be our June • Cut dahlia blooms
and buildings. It’s a great way to conserve fourth time exhibiting at the • If your tulips have regularly and give them a
tap water and help the environment. show, having previously been stopped flowering, lift and bit of tomato feed as well.
We’ve also been adding organic matter to awarded Bronze, Silver and divide them, store them • Keep watering those salad
the soil to help it retain moisture. We’re Silver Gilt RHS medals, as once the foliage has died crops regularly, especially
hoping all this effort pays off with some well as the highly acclaimed down. lettuce.
stunning, healthy plants! People’s Choice Award, • Plant some more salad • Cut back your hardy
which is voted for by show crops. geraniums, you may get
Spring is a great time for planting and visitors. Petrus is seeking • This is a great time to some more late flowers.
taking cuttings, depending on your lo- out sponsors and donations plant out dahlias; they • If you have a greenhouse
cal weather. And as summer approaches, to help the team to build the thrive in a warm sunny or polytunnel, make sure
think about your lawn maintenance garden and would be spot. they are well ventilated.
schedule. Our team supported the ‘no grateful for your support. • Your roses, especially We often leave our
mow May’ campaign and seeing beautiful climbing roses will be polytunnel doors open in
wildflowers we wouldn’t normally see if Scan the QR code below for thriving now; tie up any August.
we were mowing as usual. more information. stems horizontally. • When your roses are at
the end of their flowering,
We also use peat-free compost on our July save a few flowers to let
allotment and recommend Recycle for • Keep deadheading your them develop rosehips;
Greater Manchester’s compost for food flowers in your hanging this will be a great source
and garden waste. We’re also busy plant- baskets and pots; this will of food for the birds in
ing up our hanging baskets with straw- encourage more flowers. autumn.

REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023 48 49 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023