This Month … In the Garden
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This Month … In the Garden
JULY
BY DAN STEVENS , SENIOR PLANT MANAGER AT MILLBROOK GARDEN CENTRES
Summer is officially here , and we ' re getting towards the hottest part of the year , so we need to take extra care in the garden , particularly when it comes to watering ; we want our gardens to thrive ! The trick to this month is to keep on top of everything a little bit at a time , and you should get the most out of them for the rest of the season . Here are our top tips for July from Dan at Millbrook .
Deadheading
Encourage your flowers to bloom and keep looking beautiful by keeping on top of the deadheading this month . By regularly deadheading your borders , pots and containers , energy will be redirected into stronger growth and producing even more flowers late into the season . As soon as the flowers start to look scruffy remove them , don ’ t worry too much about doing it too early as a few days don ’ t make too much of a difference . You ’ ll find that plants in hanging baskets , pots and containers will respond really well to deadheading . To deadhead plants with a tougher stem , use scissors or secateurs - this will apply to shrubs and dahlias etc .
Plant autumn bulbs
There are some beautiful autumn flowering bulbs that you should definitely consider for bringing a pop of colour to your pots and borders later in the year . Plant nerines , colchicums and sternbergia in pots and borders during this month and make the most of autumn flowers !
Remember the lawn
This month is the final chance to feed your lawn to encourage healthy green growth throughout the year . If the weather is hot , keep the lawn watered , particularly if you have newly turfed or recently seeded areas . Given that the weather is hot , you should also reduce the stress on the grass by setting the mower blades higher . You ’ ll also need to watch for weeds , as the growth will be rapid now that the warmer weather has set in . Using a specified lawn weed killer will be sure to tackle and keep on top of this problem . Finally , keep an edger to hand to keep on top of your edges and make your beds look prominent .
Check the vegetable plot
Keeping an eye on the veg plot this month is essential ! Keep the watering up , mainly focusing on celery , runner beans , courgettes and tomatoes , who will be extra thirsty at this time of year . When the rhubarb has finished , remove debris and flowers and cut right back . Make sure you pick your courgettes so they don ’ t grow too big like marrows . Use this opportunity to plant fast-growing salad leaves , rocket and radishes ,
which are perfect for BBQ season ! You should also use this opportunity to thin out fruit trees such as apples and pears to maximise fruiting as well as pruning your plums .
General maintenance :
• Compost your kitchen and waste throughout the summer .
• Top up your bird feeders and water baths .
• Keep an eye on any pond algae and scoop off the top .
• Trim your lavender back and dry it .
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