The Government is hoping to steer the public to use more environmentally friendly products in their gardens. From October 2008, home owners in England must apply for planning permission if they want to pave their front garden with an impermeable material, such as asphalt. Planning permission is not required if you use a porous or permeable product  which will reduce flooding and its subsequent damage.

Visit www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/686153 for more details.

Tips for August

• Plants in August – Monarda didyma, Lavatera ‘Barnsley’, Clematis ‘Madame Julia Crevon’ and Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’.
• Keep weeding borders but look out for self seeded plants.
• Plant Madonna lilies to bloom next year.
• Plant autumn crocuses and nerines.
• Sow tender annuals and perennials for a late display.
• Summer prune vigorous shrubs and climbers like wisteria and rambler roses.
• Take semi-ripe cuttings of box, hebe and santolina.
• Deadhead roses to stimulate more flowers unless they are noted for their hips.
• Prepare and sow or turf new lawns.
• Trim hedges before growth slow down.
• Sow Chinese vegetables for autumn and winter use.
• Make new strawberry beds and propagate from old plants.
• Summer prune trained fruit.
• Cut down spent raspberry canes.

Allotment growing www.allotment.org.uk

Royal Horticultural Society www.rhs.org.uk

Society of Garden Designers www.sgd.org.uk