Page 49 - Real Rochdale Issue 18 Summer 2023
P. 49

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.





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