It is at this time of year when the gardener sits back and reaps the rewards of his or her labours from earlier in the season.
If your plants have not grown for you this year so far, they certainly will not from now on. The days are beginning to shorten and plants respond to this sign by switching from growth to ripening wood and producing seed for their future survival.
Hedges should all have been trimmed by now and any major cut back of overgrown hedges should, if possible, be left to next spring. It is possible I know for Laurel and Privet to make enough growth if pruned back hard to enable it to survive but with many others you will not be successful. Conifers should under no circumstances be trimmed at this time even if only lightly otherwise severe damage will result. How many times do we see conifer hedges which have been cut late with dead patches in them. They will never be able to grow back after this treatment.
One of the most satisfying things at this time of year is the large number of Flower Shows which are organised for us to see where we can feast our eyes on superbly grown flowers, fruit and vegetables.
I do not mean the large flower shows held nationally, but the small flower shows held in villages and towns everywhere in our area. One that I am particularly fond of is the Poole Flower Show which is held annually on the August bank holiday Saturday and Sunday. This year, Saturday August 23rd from 1pm to 5pm and Sunday 24th August from 10 am to 5 pm. The show is held at the Victoria Education Centre, Lindsay Road, Branksome, Poole in the Sports Hall at the back of the school. All proceeds from the show go to help those people who attend the centre, which is for the disabled amongst us. There will be a large tombola, plants sales, etc with Victoria Horticulture being open on both days along with the grounds of this old Convent site being open for you to explore.
Admission is 50p adults and children are admitted free.
Please come along and support this event in whatever way you can. Donations of plants or prizes for the Tombola are always very welcome.
Article submitted by David Bassil 24 July 2008.