August '23 in the Garden

After a damp and cool July, we look forward to a productive, colourful yet relaxed August. Dig It’s Peter Brown and Chris Day provide a round-up of the month’s gardening what’s on’s, a look at the stories making the gardening headlines and a round-up of those essential gardening tasks. What’s on 2 - 6th August: RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show, Chelmsford, Essex. 4 - 13th August: Shropshire Petal Fields, Newport, Shropshire. 11 – 12th August: Shrewsbury Flower Show, The Quarry Shrewsbury. 12 – 13th August: The Great Comp Summer Show, Platt near Sevenoaks, Kent. 17 – 20th August: Southport Flower Show, Victoria Park, Southport. 18 – 20th August: RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, Great Torrington, Devon. Until 13 September: RHS Garden Wisley. A new exhibition Growing Up in the Garden, showcasing the way children use gardens as a place to connect with and explore the natural world. NEWS First King’s birthday honours for landscaper and designer Tom Stuart-Smith (OBE) and Kew’s Director of Gardens Richard Barley (MBE). Renowned rosarian Michael Marriott awarded the Dean Hole Medal by Colin Squire, chairman of The Rose Society UK. Top accolade the Brickell Award went to Adrian Young’s National Collection of 900 Saxifraga as part of Plant Heritage’s Hampton Court display. Carol Klein named the RHS's 'Iconic Horticultural Hero' for 2023 and Carol’s comments about the lack of female representation on Gardeners’ World. Hemlock warning: the deadly plant found in UK gardens. Rare pink grasshopper spotted in North Wales. Use of peat is falling according to latest HTA report. Scottish farmers lead research to revive lost linen industry. Salisbury City Council scraps hanging baskets and sparks division. Top plants named at HTA Plant Show - Curcuma ‘Skyline’ overall winner. Other winners include Agapanthus Orientalis ‘Black Jack,’ Ball Colegrave Ltd’s Dahlia ‘Dalina® Maxi Starburst Pink’ and Fatsia Japonica ‘Camouflage.’ Dig It Top Five Roses: 1. ‘The Queen Elizabeth II’, 2. ‘With Love’, 3. ‘Cutie Pie’, 4. ‘Precious Ruby’ and 5. ‘Mary Berry’. Plant mentions: Plant seed potatoes for Christmas, Leeks, Brassicas and Spinach. Sow Basil, Marjoram, Borage, Chives, Coriander, and Dill. Propagate lavender and rosemary. Divide Chives. Propagate and plant new strawberry runners including ‘Cambridge Favourite,’ ‘Elsanta,’ and ‘Honeoye.’ Continue sowing early-flowering biennials - like honesty and wallflowers. Sow Cress and compact sunflowers with the children. Product mentions: Bamboo canes, Garden twine (Jute). Plant feeds - Tomorite, Doff fertilisers. Miracle Gro, Phostrogen, Seaweed Extract, Westland Tomato Food and Comfrey tea. Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music.