House plants will need less watering if they are set outside for the summer, bring them back inside in early September
Open the greenhouse ventilators during the day to help control the temperature. In the evening lower them leaving some movement of air. Large fluctuations in temperature is not good for plants
This is the time when rhubarb tends to flower. The enormous spike of creamy-white flowers depletes the plant’s energy. Cut the stalk off at ground level before it opens
Prune brooms after they have flowered cutting back to within 2 inches of the older wood. If left unpruned the plant will become straggly
Dead head rhododendrons when they have finished flowering. Carefully remove the dead flower without damaging the new shoots forming to either side. These will become next year’s flowers
Grow extra basil in pots to attract any white fly in the greenhouse. When well covered with the pest remove and dump the plant. They prefer basil to tomatoes
Check the compost heap and if it is dry, damp over with water to speed up the composting process
Propagate lavender and hebe. Take 2-3 inch long softwood cuttings. Remove the lower leaves and cut the base below a leaf joint. Remove the tip of the shoot. Dip in hormone rooting powder and place the cuttings around the edge of a pot of gritty compost. Water and cover with clear polythene. The cuttings should root n 4-6 weeks
Add grass clippings to the compost heap in thin layers (too much grass all at once is likely to be very wet and poorly aerated, resulting in smelly slime rather than compost)
