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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE August 2021 14

Life in the Garden

Hello Gardeners… ance of plant. peaceful atmosphere and enjoy
Apply a high-potash fertiliser such the scents and colours of all the
Welcome to August’s Life In The as tomato food once fruits start to varieties of trees, shrubs and
Garden, I do hope you are all form on peppers, cucumber and plants. Summer bedding and large
having a lovely summer. As I sit aubergines. herbaceous borders.
here and write we are experienc- Pinch out the top of tomato plants After your visit to the walled
ing a heatwave and our gardens to concentrate the growth into the garden take time to walk around
are crying out for water. The dry fruit that has already formed. Aim the wider estate featuring romantic
spell has kept me busy watering as to leave 5 or 6 trusses of fruit per topiary gardens, lake, woodland
have a lot of plants in pots, but it’s plant. and nature reserve. Estate gar- A
a job I love and I do them either deners are on hand during the
first thing in the morning or in the Gardener Steve’s Plant day. Delicious home-made cakes letter from
evening. I find it a very relaxing available.
job, it gives me time to take stock of the Month Sunday 8th August
of my plants and even talk to a RUDBECKIA FULGIDA VAR. SUL- Times:12:00 to 16:00 Windsor
few!! How have you been getting LIVANTII ‘GOLDSTRUM’ Admission £2.50, Children free.
on in your gardens this summer? I (Coneflower) Light refreshments.
would love to know. Rudbeckia can be annuals, bienni- Telephone:01629 533870 for more Castle
Again this year I have had more als or herbaceous perennials, with information
time in my own garden as some simple or pinnately divided leaves
gardening events are still not and large daisy-like flower-heads Please get in touch with your taff and residents of Canal would receive a reply but I am
taking place this year. Usually I with yellow or orange rays sur- stories, photos, events, general SVue Care Home have taken thrilled I did. I wanted Her Majesty
am very busy jetting off to shows rounding a prominent conical disk. gardening advice and help with special delight in receiving a to learn of Donald’s adventures but
such as the Chelsea Flower Show. It is a plant genus in the sunflower plant identification. I would love letter in the post from Her Maj- also understand how much of a feat
It takes place in September this family. The species are commonly to hear from you, just email me at esty the Queen, acknowledging it was for him to achieve them at
year so I will be able to tell you all called coneflowers and are native gardenersteve24@live.co.uk the exploits of 106-year-old war the wonderful age of 106.”
about it later. to North America and many spe- I look forward to seeing you all in veteran Donald Rose. In addition, Robert Courts MP,
September
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and
Jobs you could be doing cies are cultivated in gardens for Gardener Steve The letter expressed appreciation of Security also sent a letter congrat-
the news that Donald had achieved
their showy yellow or gold flower
this month heads. his bucket list dreams, thanks to ulating Donald for realising his
dream and hoping it would serve to
Here are some jobs for you to do ‘Goldsturm’ is an herbaceous Canal Vue Care Home Activities inspire others to do the same.
Coordinator Naomi Allsop.
in your garden this month… perennial forming a clump to Her Majesty, herself 95, was fas- He wrote: “I have no doubt your
Happy Gardening Everybody! 60cm in height, with erect stems cinated to read of his ride in a fire achievement and determination
Pick runner beans regularly to pre- bearing narrowly ovate leaves and engine and his taking control of an to fly, at the age of 106 years,
vent them becoming stringy and to dark-eyed, deep yellow flowers to aeroplane via a flight simulator at will serve to encourage others to
make room for developing beans. 12cm across. This award winning such a late age. involve themselves in the world
Keep on top of weeds as they coneflower is mostly used in flow- Susan Rhodes, Lady-in-Waiting, of General Aviation and to realise
compete with plants for nutrients er borders and beds, as cut flowers, wrote that although the Queen was their dreams as you have done,
and water. cottage garden, and informal unable to write personally, she without anything holding them
Stake tall or top heavy Dahlias and garden prairie planting. would like to thank Naomi for her back.”
Lilies to prevent wind and rain Flowering period: August to kind thought in writing and sends The two big days in Donald’s life
damage. October. her good wishes to Mr Rose. were enjoyed by readers of this
newspaper and were also covered
Keep patio container plants well Height and Spread: 60cm x 60cm Runner beans Naomi said: “I never thought I by radio and TV.
watered and feed with a liquid (2ft x 2ft).
high potash fertiliser every fort- Soil: Any soil but well drained.
night. Hardiness: Hardy.
Trim your lavender plants after Propagation: Propagate by division
they’ve finished flowering to keep in spring or autumn.
them compact. Pruning: Deadhead faded flowers.
Continue to feed tomato plants Pest and Diseases: Generally pest
with a tomato fertiliser and remove free.
leaves lower down on the plant
to help with air circulation and OPEN GARDEN
prevent disease. Old English Walled Garden,
Dead-heading is an important Elvaston Castle Country Park -
job this month - bedding plants, Open Garden for NGS.
perennials and roses to stop them Come and discover the beauty of
self-seeding, encourage further the Old English walled garden He’s been on the internet all morning looking up
flowering and improves appear- at Elvaston Castle. Take in the Rudbekia
‘How to have a screen free day’! Tony Rice

Elvaston Castle County Park Summer bedding