GARDENS
ANNA TAYLOR, OWNER OF ANNA’S FLOWER FARM IN AUDLEY END, SHARES WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH
ne of those tipping points of the year, August gives us a moment to pause; the still, close days naturally entice one to loll on
the grass and simply take it all in. The garden and hedgerow growth hangs still, beginning to dry and turning from verdant green to golden yellow. Traditionally, with school holidays, there is a suspension of activity. Berries are ripening and foragers start to rub their hands with glee, with flowering plants, nuts and seeds abundant. In the flower and vegetable garden, we must pick as often as possible to prolong the fruiting, and then spend the rest of the day lazily enjoying our hard work and efforts up until this point in the year. The first Harvest Festival is Lammas Day on 1 August – a Celtic cross quarter day in between the summer equinox and solstice that used to mark the farming year. This one is for the wheat harvest and first of the berries. Lammas Land in the city is a perfect space for a summer picnic; splash in the free swimming and paddling pools or stroll under the willow trees to Grantchester, originally common land that would have had grazing rights after Lammas Day once the first wheat had been harvested.
Tie in climbers and stake tall plants, as heavy August downpours flatten growth. At Docwra’s Manor in Shepreth (open every Wednesday and Friday), Faith Raven takes inspiration from her daughter Sarah’s Kentish home and uses mini chestnut gates to hold up tall plants. On our plots we use 1x2in stakes along the length of the beds and criss cross between them with twine, upholding the flowers at several points as they rise. This gives the best stability whilst allowing access to cut tall flowers, like dahlias, easily. Finally, before you go away, cut all the flowers that will be over by the time you return, and make up a bunch for a friend. Not only will they be admired rather than the blooming going unobserved, new stems will replace them to welcome you home.
Continue the good work of last month and keep up the essential garden tasks by eating and drinking outside as often as possible, picking off edible flowers and herbs and adding them to salads, drinks and puddings. The air is hot and dusty, if not awash with ozone after a summer shower, and I enjoy every minute I can. Do a little housekeeping before a holiday; give pots outside a big water and cluster in the shade to reduce water evaporation. Indoors, a neat trick is to lay a piece of capillary matting on the draining board with the other half in a sink of water. Move houseplants onto the mat and the pots will wick up moisture as and when they require. Ask a friendly neighbour to pick any fruit or veg to prevent plants running to seed.
“August gives us a moment to pause”
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