The first pruning of wisterias can begin. You can allow wisteria to ramble freely if you have the space but, pruning will improve the chances of spectacular flower displays. To do this prune the stems to a stumpy spur, six buds from a main stem from this larger plumper flower buds will be produced. The second pruning is in Feb.

If you have planted sweet corn it should be about ready for harvesting, if you are not sure when they are ripe check the tassels are dry and that a milky liquid is exuded when your finger nail push’s in to a kernel. Keep harvesting fruit and veg, blanch and freeze!

Make sure your friends and neighbours water your pots and baskets whilst you are on your holiday, younger members of the family always forget until its too late!! if you don’t want to rely on friends or neighbours an automatic watering device is invaluable! Easy to fit to an outside tap and water is fed at a set rate.
Regular watering of tomatoes is important to help prevent blossom end rot on the fruit, this is a brown rot where the flower part ‘sticks’ to the bottom of the tomato, regular feeding will also help prevent this.
Pinch out the tips of tomatoes to encourage ripening of later fruit. Green tomatoes make a rather nice chutney though.

Cut back the finished flowers of perennial plants, this will encourage a second flush of flowers, remember some of these flowers can be dried.

Check for pest and diseases and deal with accordingly. If you are not sure ask

Late August is the time for planning and the buying of spring bulbs, the exact time they arrive in the garden centre depends on the weather! If your soil is too wet to plant bulbs, try putting a layer of horticultural grit under the bulbs to aid drainage. A few lumps of barbecue charcoal  will help keep the water ‘sweet’

If using weed killers to clear Perennial weeds, wait until after it has rained and dried before applying a glyphosate based weed killer. Make sure any spray doesn’t come into contact will your prized Dahlias as it will kill them too! Its non selective.