Summer gardening guide

• Focus on the root area - Avoid watering foliage, wet leaves are the perfect environment for plant disease.

• Apply mulch. Mulching aids with soil temperature regulation, helps to lock in moisture and slows evaporation.

• Invest in quality watering tools- The right watering equipment can help elevate your watering schedule, from professional, high-quality hosesto drip irrigation systems, getting watering right from the start is the difference between a vibrant garden and one that is lacking in vitality.  

• Potted plants will require more watering; aim to water with 10% of the pot volume and use a saucer to allow the plant to re-absorb any excess water loss.
  

Why is soil important?

• Container plants require regular feeding. Aim for a weekly feedwhen plants are growing and the weather is much warmer and consider upping to twice a week for fast-growing plants. 

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and ratios when feeding plants and keep a note of your feeding schedule.

• Wait until plants under stress have recovered to give them a feed, this includes stress from drought. 

• Give your lawn a feed with a specialist fertiliser tailored to ensure an even supply of nutrients, resulting in a lush and healthy lawn.

• Fill in sparse patches with grass seed, this will help to thicken the lawn and fill in damaged areas as well as help the overall colour of your lawn.

• Remove weeds to tackle problem areas within your lawn, dandelions can prove troublesome with deep roots that compete for nutrients.

• For newly laid turf, water daily after laying and ensure enough water penetrates into the soil beneath to help it to establish.

•  Always try to completely remove the root of the weed from the area with a quick twist and pull.

• If pulling weeds by hand is tedious, get yourself a grubber to aid with deeper rooted weeds such as dandelions with minimal damage to the surrounding soil.

•  Weed killers are a quick way to control deep-rooted perennial garden weeds at the source, with some helping to control a range of weeds such as nettles, dandelion and bindweed. Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use

• Weed protection fabrics provide a heavy-duty level of control to stop weed growth by creating a barrier to stop light from penetrating, thus preventing weed growth while still letting water in.

• Pinch or cut the stem below the flower and remove the dead flower head.

• Always check which flowers require deadheading and the best method for deadheading.

• Tomato cage planters work well for training your tomatoes and protecting them from flopping over. Tie your plants to the cage for added support.

• Climbing plants do well with obelisks as they provide support so climbers can grow and entiwne as they establish, these are easy to make yourself from bamboo canes,gardening twine and cane caps.

• For plants that grow outwards as well as upwards, trellising works really well!

• Always read the label and safety instructions when it comes to pest control products to ensure the correct application method to your plants.

• To avoid fungal diseases spreading, remove (and preferably) burn diseased leaves and foliage so disease cannot transfer to other plants.

• Avoid watering in the evening after warm days as the warm, moist soil and foliage create the perfect condition for fungal diseases to develop and take over.

Organic pest control