Well, our weather has been somewhat changeable of late, hasn’t it? We hope you’ve been able to make the most of the warm spells, and spend some time in the garden in between showers! The fact is gardeners can never rest on their laurels for long, as there are always jobs that need attending to in the garden – and the warm summer months are no exception.
Keep Watering!
Hot weather means frequent watering is essential, especially for new plants and those in pots and containers. If plants are looking a pit peaky, leave them for a short time in a bowl or bath for a good soak.
It’s always a good idea to recycle and conserve water where possible, and it’s simple to do! You can collect rainwater in containers or buckets or, for a more permanent solution, why not invest in a water butt, which can store a large amount of rainwater and can be connected to guttering and convenient taps. Keeping ponds and bird baths topped up will also help local wildlife cope on the warmer days.
If you’re planning on going on holiday make sure to ask a friend or neighbour to water and care for your plants while you’re away, so you don’t have any unwanted surprises when you get back!
Prune, Cut and Collect
The warm and perhaps wet weather may have encouraged a great deal of unwanted growth, so now’s a great time to focus on those plants that are demanding attention. Give climbing plants and fast growing shrubs, such as Wisteria and Pyracantha, a careful prune to keep any excess growth under control. Keep your border tidy by cutting back any early or midsummer perennials that look past their best, and trim and shape evergreen hedges before their autumn growth.
Dead-head border Roses regularly this month to encourage autumn hips, and prune any climbing roses once they’ve finished flowering. If you’re planning on reseeding any plants, collect the seed pods. Cuttings of perennials, such as Argyranthemums and Verbenas, can also be taken at this time.
Look after your Lawn
Lawn care is very important this month. Keep your lawn neat and tidy by mowing at least once a week, and pulling or treating any weeds that may have popped up. If the weather’s dry and hot, raise the cutting height of your lawnmower to keep the grass slightly longer.
Remove any fungi and mushrooms with a hard brush, and try to rake the lawn to stop any moss or thatch build up. If your lawn’s looking a bit brown, don’t worry, as the autumn rain will soon make it recover.
Plan Ahead!
It’s never too early to start planning your garden for next season. Why not browse our new garden collection for inspiration?
