Episode 20

Coleton Fishacre
Brownstone Road
Kingswear
Devon
TQ6 0EQ
Tel. 01803 753132

Hidden in a protected valley by the sea, the garden at Coleton Fishacre is a haven for tender plants from all over the world. It’s a lovely place to visit at this time of year, so if you’re in the area, click on the link below for more details. 

Coleton Fishacre (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)

Hedges are not just for blocking out an unsightly view or making our gardens more private. If used carefully, they can define a garden creating individual spaces or rooms within. Hedges can shield us from something we don’t wish to see, draw the eye to a feature or frame a view. Monty has used them to great effect at Longmeadow. 

Hedges are also good at providing shelter for our plants, especially in exposed areas. They’re great for attracting wildlife too, particularly in the spring when birds need somewhere to nest.

Choosing a hedge (www.rhs.org.uk)

When your cuttings are well rooted, it’s time to pot them on. Gently tease  them apart without damaging the new roots and pot them on into individual 3in pots filled with compost and a bit of perlite. Place somewhere sheltered and, if possible, in the shade.

Taking semi-ripe cuttings (www.rhs.org.uk)

To help the fruit ripen on indoor cordon tomatoes, it’s worth nipping out the main growing point once the plants have reached a height of 1.8m (6ft). If they’re growing outside, wait until they’ve set four trusses of fruit. This will help divert all the plant’s energy into ripening existing fruit before the end of the summer.

Grow your own tomatoes (www.rhs.org.uk)

There’s still time to sow rocket and other salad crops, but you need to get on with it. Sowing now means that the plants will have time to get established before the cold weather arrives. Choose a hardy variety and either sow direct outdoors or in a seed tray for planting out later when you have room.

Cut & come again salads (www.rhs.org.uk)