7 summertime gardening tips

You will undoubtedly be spending plenty more time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather now that summer is finally here. As such, you will also probably want to start giving your garden some extra TLC. Here are some tips for sprucing it up – from the grass to the flowers and everything in between.

1. Treat your lawn for moss

Moss tends to pop up in poorly drained lawns and when the soil has become slightly more acidic than it should be. Not only is it unsightly, but moss can also affect the longevity of your grass if the issue isn’t dealt with properly. Usually, you can get rid of the growth by raking the grass. However, if this doesn’t quite get the job done as well as you’d hoped, you might need to buy a moss removal product. Be sure to buy one that contains sulphate of iron combined with nitrogen, or any other fertiliser, for best results.

2. Grow some roses

The vast majority of roses thrive in the summertime, so now is a great opportunity to start planting. Order your favourites from the massive selection on offer via Country Garden Roses and take the time to thoroughly prepare the soil while you await delivery. All flowers grow best in nutritious soil that is free from grass, rocks and clods of dirt.

3. Trim your hedges

Most gardening experts recommend that you trim your hedges a handful of times every year. However, it is best to wait until the end of August – which marks the end of the primary bird breeding period – to trim them in the summer.

4. Prune your lavender

Lavender is popular in gardens in the United Kingdom, and summertime is the ideal time of the year to prune these plants. Wait until the flowers are in full bloom before trimming the shoots by an estimated one-third.

5. Water your flowers and plants

It is important to water your plants and flowers more regularly than usual throughout the warmer months. Be sure to give extra water if you notice your flowers wilting during a particularly hot day.

6. Divide shrubs

If you notice that your shrubs are not flowering as strongly as they used to, or the blossoms are balding inside, you will know that it is time to divide them. Luckily, this is quite easy to do. Use a spade to dig up the shrubs and divide them into separate parts about the size of a fist. Inspect the parts for withered or sick roots and bald spots, and remove. Replant the shrubs and you will be sure to enjoy a fuller, more vibrant blossom the following year.

7. Support taller plants

Taller, more slender plants face the risk of falling over or snapping when exposed to heavy winds. You can reduce this risk by purchasing supportive materials and attaching them to the plants that are most vulnerable. You can use canes and attach them with a bit of twine, or find a steel supplier and invest in 6mm steel rods.

Now you have the know-how to help you make the most of the season within your garden this year, and every year thereafter.