Summer is in full swing and your garden is thriving! To keep it looking great in July and August, regular care is essential. Whether your flowerbeds are bursting with colour, your planters are vibrant, or your shrubs are shaping your space, this guide gives you the best tips for a gorgeous garden, even with little experience.
Watering: The Lifeblood of Your Garden
Watering is key to summer garden care. In the heat, your thirsty plants need your attention!
- When to water? Aim to water in the morning or late evening. Ideally, water between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., or after 7 p.m. This approach minimizes evaporation and allows your plants to absorb water before the sun gets too strong.
- How to water? Water deeply and less frequently rather than lightly and often. Your goal is to thoroughly soak the soil, encouraging roots to grow deeper. Always direct water right to the soil at the base of your plants, not on the foliage. Keeping leaves dry helps prevent fungal diseases, especially overnight. For potted plants, ensure water drains well from the bottom holes.
- Specific needs: Plants in pots and hanging baskets dry out much faster. Check them daily, sometimes even twice a day during intense heatwaves. Young and newly transplanted plants also need more water to establish properly.
Fertilizing: Giving Your Plants a Boost
Your plants work hard to bloom and grow; they need extra energy!
- Annuals: Very hungry plants, annuals flourish with regular fertilizing, every two to four weeks. Choose a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. A 20-20-20 all-purpose fertilizer or formulas specifically for flowering (richer in potassium) are excellent choices. This helps promote continuous, spectacular blooms.
- Perennials and shrubs: If you prepared your soil well with compost in the spring, your established perennials and shrubs might not need additional summer fertilizing. However, a light application of slow-release fertilizer or surface compost can support less vigorous specimens or those that bloom heavily in summer. Avoid fertilizing perennials and shrubs after late August to prevent stimulating new, fragile growth before winter.
- Caution! Always carefully follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn roots.
Pruning: To Boost Blooms and Shape
Pruning is your ally for a tidy, bloom-filled garden.
- Annuals and perennials (deadheading): Removing spent flowers is essential. This simple practice stops the plant from wasting energy on producing seeds and encourages it to create new blooms. You’ll notice a clear improvement in flowering! The frequency depends on the plant, but it’s wise to do it as needed, as soon as flowers start to fade.
- Shrubs: For most summer-flowering shrubs, wait until after they finish blooming to prune them lightly. If your shrubs are spring-flowering, this task has likely already been done. In July and August, you can remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to maintain their vigour.
Mulching: Your Protective Cover
Mulch is the unsung hero of gardening!
- Moisture retention: Apply a layer of **mulch** (wood chips, straw, shredded leaves, compost) about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) thick at the base of your plants. This simple step creates a natural insulator that reduces water evaporation and keeps the soil cooler and moister. Always **leave about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) of space without mulch around the stem or trunk of the plant** to prevent excessive moisture and rot.
- Weed control: Mulch effectively blocks sunlight, preventing weed seeds from sprouting. Fewer weeds mean less effort for you!
- Soil improvement: As it slowly breaks down, organic mulch enriches the soil with organic matter, improving its structure and long-term fertility.
Planting in Summer: Yes, It's Possible!
Summer is a fantastic time to add new plants to your garden!
- Perennials and shrubs: **Garden centres** are full of potted **perennials and shrubs**, ready to be planted. Take advantage of this opportunity to fill empty spots or add variety to your flowerbeds. Just be sure to water them very regularly after planting, especially during the first few weeks, to help them establish well.
- Landscaping: Now is the perfect time to visualize where your new additions will best fit into your landscape design.
More Tips for a Flourishing Garden
- Monitor for diseases and pests: Regularly inspect your plants. Problems caught early are always easier to manage. Look for signs like yellowed leaves, unusual spots, or small insects.
- Handle heatwaves: During intense heatwaves, your plants can suffer. Increase watering frequency and, if possible, offer them some temporary shade or move sensitive potted plants.
- Support tall plants: Heavy rain and wind can damage tall-stemmed plants. Install sturdy **stakes** to support peonies, delphiniums, and other tall plants.
- Regular cleanup: Remove dead or diseased leaves and plant debris. A clean garden is less prone to diseases and pests, and it simply looks much nicer!
By following these simple tips, you'll fully enjoy your garden in July and August. Feel free to visit us at Botanix Garden Centres if you have any questions or are looking for the right products to pamper your plants.
