July
July is a wonderful time to enjoy your flourishing garden & catch up with friends and family over a BBQ. Make the most of the (hopefully) good weather, and take a look at these tips on what needs doing in the garden this month.
1. Make time for regular weeding so they won’t have time to set seed.
2. Keep on top of watering, but avoid at sunny times of the day. Early morning and late evening watering are recommended to reduce evaporation. Add mulch around plants to retain moisture.
3. Continue deadheading bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials, like Roses, to ensure continuous flowering throughout the season.
4. Summertime means that everything will be growing extremely fast. As a result, mow your lawn once a week to keep it in good health.
5. Water any trees, shrubs and perennials that you planted in Spring. Keep the base well watered and avoid wetting the leaves as they don’t absorb water well, and can encourage fungal diseases.
6. Keep your garden abuzz with wildlife by ensuring bird feeders are topped up and bird baths are full, as birds in particular relish gardeners’ efforts, using bird baths to both hydrate and cool down.
7. Start sowing biennials, such as foxgloves, forget-me,nots & wallflowers, for beautiful blooms next year.
8. Dahlias will be growing well - to produce more flowers, cut the first bloom to a very short stem (avoid cutting into the flower buds below.)
9. Cover two thirds of your pond with pond plants to help prevent & build up of algae.
10. Now is a great time to get planting some Autumn bulbs in pots & borders including, nerines, colchicums & sternbergia.
