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Pruning/managing established gardens

Katiewray93702Katiewray93702 Posts: 1
in Plants
I am the proud owner of a beautiful Manor House that Ive lovingly restored.  I was lucky to inherit the most fantastic gardens with it & ive tried my best over the last 2 years - its always beautiful & tidy but some things are taking over. Clearly my light pruning in an effort not to destroy anything has allowed many plants to flourish & some take over.  I would love a poster or calendar that concentrates & gives tips on when to prune/divide common cottage garden plants. There is so much here that I have no need for planting or sowing but I just would love to manage what i have it is so well stocked.  Are there any recommendations for a book or poster that gives monthly advice?

Posts

  • Panda5Panda5 Posts: 18
    You could try MyRHS, it is free to use. You can add all your plants and there is a calendar that prompts you for tasks that need doing that month.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I find the RHS app a bit clunky (it states the blinking obvious like watering) but possibly there are options that I didn't find when I tried it out, and it could be useful to have reminders all in one place.
    For books, any that go month-by-month through the year probably won't cover every individual plant that you have - a good reference book might be better if you want something in print to supplement the app. The RHS pruning book is good, https://www.amazon.co.uk/RHS-Pruning-Training-Revised-Plants/dp/024128290X (older editions can be cheaper 2nd hand, hunt around if you're interested)
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Oops, I just re-read your post and realised that you might be talking about perennials rather than shrubs (the book I referenced is about pruning shrubs/trees).
    Most perennials can be cut back either in autumn after they've done their thing for the year or in early spring if you like to keep the old stems for winter interest (some do well like that, others just collapse and look a mess).
    Dividing is also mostly spring or autumn but you'd need to look up individual plants (there are some exceptions, like bearded irises which you divide in summer).
    If there's something you just have too much of and don't want to split to replant more pieces, you can just dig out the excess (preferably the older parts leaving the fresher younger parts) and fill in with soil/compost.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    The Gardeners' World website give a monthly jobs list. You might find that useful.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The problem with all these calendars and similar 'prompts' is that they won't take into consideration your location and climate.
    There's a vast difference between a town garden in the south of England and a more exposed one in the north west Highlands.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mrs-B3-Southampton,-HantsMrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants Posts: 732
    @Fairygirl Which is when @Katiewray93702 asks more questions here.
    Southampton 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure I understand @Mrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants.
    I don't know if the OP will ask more questions here because they seem to want a book or a poster [?] or similar. Hence my comment  :)
    If @Katiewray93702 could offer more info, especially location and general climate, we could help with advice on pruning/dividing and timing for various jobs. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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