July brings long, warm days that continue well into the evening – great for pottering in the garden after work, hosting barbecues, and enjoying your beds and borders as they reach their peak.
Give your garden a new voice this Summer with these tips:
- Cutting back growth in hanging baskets encourages new flowers and foliage, reviving the display.
- Collect seed heads from dandelions and other weeds. Capture them before they get a chance to release their seeds and spread through your garden.
- If you’re growing tomatoes, pinch out tomato side shoots every week. Cut off any leaves growing below the lowest ripening fruit trusses to improve air circulation and prevent diseases.
- Clear weeds frequently, as they compete with your crops for nutrients and water.
- Protect any emerging fruits from birds and squirrels by placing netting around your plants.
- In the greenhouse, check plants daily. Water in the morning or in the evening to reduce water loss.
- Summer can still throw out a few surprises, ensure tall plants and climbers are well maintained in case of bad weather.
- Use grass clippings as a mulch around potato plants to stop tubers near the surface from turning green. Alternatively, you can earth up your potato plants as they grow.
- Pick runner beans often to prevent them becoming stringy and to make room for developing pods.
