When it gets to Summer, it’s easy to think you can sit back and watch your garden flower away, but there’s still work to be done! We’re bringing you our top tips on making sure your flowers and plants not only last longer throughout the summer months, but also how to get your garden ready for Autumn – and beyond!
Water wisely!
We can’t stress this point enough, so of course it’s at the top of our list – with the hottest, driest weather on the horizon throughout July and August, your plants will certainly thank you for regular watering. And because we’re all about making sure you’re watering in the right way, we’ve put together a dedicated blog – check it out here.
Give your borders a little extra TLC
You may have noticed an abundance of growth in your garden given the recent mix of rain and sun, but not all of it will be welcome! Summer is the best time to take care of weeds when they are actively growing, so get digging. Taller plants may well have had a growth spurt too, so stake out the likes of delphiniums, veronicas, lupins and echinacea’s for extra support. And last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to do your deadheading – essential if you’re to keep your summer flowering perennials and annuals flowering throughout the season.
Feed your lawn
We may not be lawn experts, but for those of you who are fans of a neatly kept and perfectly green lawn, it’s time to consider giving it a helping hand during the Summer months. Lawns will benefit from a Summer feed right around this time of year, check out the RHS’s blog all about summer lawn maintenance.
Take care of your greenhouse
The plants in your greenhouse will be at risk of overheating if neglected during the hotter summer months, so it’s important to keep it well ventilated and to tidy up any spilled debris in order to discourage pests from making themselves at home. ‘Dampening down’ your greenhouse is a useful tactic to help with keeping your plants happy.
Watch out for pests and disease
It’s not just the greenhouse that is at risk of attracting pests at this time of year, watch out for aphids and black flies on new shoots, and vine weevil is also a risk during the summer. Keep a close eye on mildew diseases too, and remove any affected plants (or part of the plant) in order to prevent it spreading.
Plan ahead
And finally, don’t forget to put the work in for a few months’ time – or even next year! Now is the time to neaten up early-flowering or quick-growing shrubs, and to propagate your plants ready for next year – particular overcrowded pots. Now is also the perfect time to plant out Autumn flowering bulbs, and to collect seed heads from the likes of spent poppies and lupins for growing ready for next year.