Freshly cut grass... sun-soaked skies... lazing on a warm afternoon. Yes it's summertime! It's the perfect time for enjoying your garden to the full. To get your garden off to a flying start then begin with your lawn, which will be growing rapidly throughout the summer months and will require mowing at least once a week. For best results it is advisable to mow little and often and a fast acting lawn feed will make all the difference. Look out for weeds which can soon take over your garden during the warmer months, and not only do they look unsightly but they steal valuable water and nutrients from your soil and can become hosts to pests and diseases. Do take the time to remove any weeds using a hoe on annuals and small weeds, or a weedkiller on those persistent, deep-rooted perennials.
If you would like to add some instant colour to your patio and garden then opt for some ready filled pots, or plant up your own. Don't restrict yourself to only buying plants in bloom. Some plants, such as petunias, can be set back after planting and may take a little longer to bloom. Plants without blossoms will actually bloom sooner and may even grow better as well. Hanging baskets also add instant colour and should be safe to leave outside once all danger of late frosts has passed.
No doubt that watering is the biggest chore of the summer months and your plants need just the right amount of moisture to ensure that they produce a display to be proud of. It's important to conserve water so remember that well established plants may not need watering, however plants growing in pots, baskets or containers can dry out in a matter of hours on a hot day. Newly planted trees, shrubs and bedding plants will also need regular watering as they are vulnerable to drought. Use a hosepipe with a watering gun instead of a watering can to prevent water wastage - it's quicker too.
Consider adding a controlled release fertiliser and water-retaining gel to the compost in pots, containers and hanging baskets to make feeding and watering easy. They will suffer if the soil is not supplemented with nutrients during the growing season so use a high nitrogen feed, such as Miracle Gro, until midsummer, then opt for a high potassium feed, such as a liquid tomato feed.
Tomatoes are a favourite home-grown vegetable and a little care and attention now will ensure bumper crops throughout the summer. Make sure your plants are well-supported by tying them in as they grow. Be sure to remove sideshoots from upright cordon varieties and remove yellowing or dying leaves, and remain alert for pests and diseases treating accordingly. Feed weekly with a liquid tomato feed and water regularly.
Enjoy long, sunny days by having a barbecue in your garden. Those who like cooking will appreciate having plenty of herbs to hand. Plant up a herb pot with delicious culinary favourites which will be wonderful to have just there when needed. For a potpourri of aroma and taste then chose a mixture from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil or Bint. If planted in a permanent spot in the garden, many of these favourite herbs will return year after year. Herbs can be planted in beds and borders, or grown in pots on the patio making them some of the most reliable and easy to grow plants around.
Finally, for colour gaps in beds, borders or containers now is a good time to fill them in. Chose an eye-catching tree or specimen plant such as Fatsia Japonica, Phormium, or perhaps some colourful grasses. To add interest to a dull or flat garden put up an arch, pergola or trellis and cover it with colourful climbers. Make your garden pop with colour this summer with fuchsias, roses, lavender or spirea.
Have a happy, safe summer in your garden!
