Flower/Plants

• Keep camellias well watered to avoid flower buds dropping off next spring due to drought
• Prune wisteria; shorten long side shoots back to five or six leaves
• Deadhead roses; unless they produce hips
• Trim lavender after flowering to stop it going woody
• Plant bulbs: nerines, autumn crocuses, and autumn daffodils

Fruit/Vegetables

• Continue to sow outside: lettuces, endives, kohl rabi, spring cabbages, French and runner beans, and beetroots
• Peg down strawberry runners into the soil or pots of compost for more plants
• Ensure crops are all well watered during hot weather
• Prune old fruited stems of cane fruits down to soil level
• Spray potato foliage with a copper fungicide to avoid blight

Greenhouse

• Treat container plants with nematodes if vine weevil damage is visible
• Continue taking cuttings from tender plants
• Keep the greenhouse well ventilated
• Pinch out any side shoots on tomato plants and tie in stems as they grow
• Feed plants regularly with a liquid feed

General

• Order flower bulbs for autumn planting
• Prune early flowering shrubs
• Trim lawns and edges regularly
• Deadhead border plants after flowering
• Hoe regularly to avoid weeds

• Jobs to do in July - Flower/Plants Sow biennials Divide flag irises Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser Take cuttings from climbers Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers Fruit/Vegetables Water early potatoes if the weather is dry Prune cordon gooseberry plants Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, ...
• Jobs to do in June - Flower/Plants Plant out dahlias and gladioli Sow wallflowers for next spring Tie in sweet peas Feed spring bulbs Plant up summer pots Fruit/Vegetables Sow outside: peas, mangetout, French and runner beans, lettuces, carrots, spinach and herbs Plant out tender crops once all threat of frost has passed Thin out plants sown earlier in the year Thin out ...
• Plant of the Month for June - Our Plant of the Month Papaver orientale or Oriental Poppy produces delicate flowers from May to July above bristly, grey-green leaves. The flower colours vary from white, through pink to red. They are a fast-growing plant and easy to grow, the pale papery flowers contrast especially well with purple foliage plants such as Heuchera. Share and ...
• Looking after your lawn in Summer - Mowing As temperatures hot up and we move into summer the growth of your lawn may actually start to slow down, mow as and when necessary never taking more than one third of the length of the plant off in any one cut. As always a sharp mower is essential. If temperatures become very hot your ...

Flower/Plants

• Sow biennials
• Divide flag irises
• Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser
• Take cuttings from climbers
• Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers

Fruit/Vegetables

• Water early potatoes if the weather is dry
• Prune cordon gooseberry plants
• Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, turnips and beetroot
• Pick off damaged fruits from apples and pears
• Plant out sweetcorn and other crops raised under glass

Greenhouse

• Open all vents and doors early each day
• Pot on rooted cuttings Introduce natural predators to control pests such as red spider mite, whitefly and mealy bug
• Ensure growing bags never dry out
• Take cuttings from bedding plants and houseplants

General

• Remove moss from lawns
• Trim box edging and privet hedges
• Remove suckers growing around trees
• Deadhead lilac and rhododendrons
• Keep an eye out for pests and treat immediately

• Jobs to do in June - Flower/Plants Plant out dahlias and gladioli Sow wallflowers for next spring Tie in sweet peas Feed spring bulbs Plant up summer pots Fruit/Vegetables Sow outside: peas, mangetout, French and runner beans, lettuces, carrots, spinach and herbs Plant out tender crops once all threat of frost has passed Thin out plants sown earlier in the year Thin out ...
• Using a Cold Frame to extend the Growing Season - To get the most out of your garden you need to be able to shelter your plants from cold weather during the winter and early spring. A cold frame is a relatively inexpensive and simple structure providing the ideal environment for sheltering plants and for growing cool-weather crops. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Aquatic Gardening - There are several points you need to consider before building your pond or water feature. Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe? Share and Enjoy: ...
• 13 Steps to Building a Garden Pond - There are several points you need to consider before building your pond: Should it be formal or informal, natural or modern? Do you want to keep fish, grow plants or attract wildlife? Are there children to keep safe? Share and Enjoy: ...
• We have Ground Elder! - Ground Elder is an invasive, perennial weed which spreads using underground stems or rhizomes. It dies down each winter and reappears in the spring and flowers with flat headed white flowers in early summer. Usually the leaves are dark green but they can also be variegated. Share and Enjoy: ...

Flower/Plants

• Plant out dahlias and gladioli
• Sow wallflowers for next spring
• Tie in sweet peas
• Feed spring bulbs
• Plant up summer pots

Fruit/Vegetables

• Sow outside: peas, mangetout, French and runner beans, lettuces, carrots, spinach and herbs
• Plant out tender crops once all threat of frost has passed
• Thin out plants sown earlier in the year
• Thin out some of the fruits from cherries, apples, pears and plums
• Draw up the earth around the stems of potatoes

Greenhouse

• Open vents and open doors to help ventilation
• Apply shade paint to the outside of south-facing glazing and hang shade netting inside
• Plant trailing tomatoes in handing baskets
• Plant up pots of scented-leaved pelargoniums to cheer up your greenhouse
• Pot on rooted cuttings, seedlings and bulbs

General

• Sprinkle a general fertiliser around your plants and cover with a good mulch
• Water any new plants until they become established
• Spray to prevent powdery mildew
• Plant up aquatic plants in ponds
• Give your garden furniture a facelift

• Jobs to do in July - Flower/Plants Sow biennials Divide flag irises Feed baskets and patio pots each week with liquid fertiliser Take cuttings from climbers Pinch out the tips of chrysanthemum shoots to encourage flowers Fruit/Vegetables Water early potatoes if the weather is dry Prune cordon gooseberry plants Sow outside: lettuces, radishes, spring cabbages, endives, kohl rabi, French and runner beans, spinach, ...
• Jobs to do in August - Flower/Plants Keep camellias well watered to avoid flower buds dropping off next spring due to drought Prune wisteria; shorten long side shoots back to five or six leaves Deadhead roses; unless they produce hips Trim lavender after flowering to stop it going woody Plant bulbs: nerines, autumn crocuses, and autumn daffodils Fruit/Vegetables Continue to sow outside: lettuces, ...
• Looking after your lawn in Summer - Mowing As temperatures hot up and we move into summer the growth of your lawn may actually start to slow down, mow as and when necessary never taking more than one third of the length of the plant off in any one cut. As always a sharp mower is essential. If temperatures become very hot your ...
• Plant of the Month for June - Our Plant of the Month Papaver orientale or Oriental Poppy produces delicate flowers from May to July above bristly, grey-green leaves. The flower colours vary from white, through pink to red. They are a fast-growing plant and easy to grow, the pale papery flowers contrast especially well with purple foliage plants such as Heuchera. Share and ...

Mowing

As temperatures hot up and we move into summer the growth of your lawn may actually start to slow down, mow as and when necessary never taking more than one third of the length of the plant off in any one cut. As always a sharp mower is essential. If temperatures become very hot your lawn will become stressed and it may be necessary to cut back on the frequency of mowing.

Feeding

It will not be necessary to feed your lawn during summer, however a feed with a spring lawn food in late spring will give it everything it needs to see it through the summer.

Watering

Summer is the time when drought can occur and a lawn can turn brown and straw coloured. Before addressing this problem the first thing to say is that well-maintained lawns will invariably recover once the rains return. Good maintenance at other times of the year, aeration and appropriate feeding will help rooting and the lawn's ability to withstand and recover from periods of drought. If possible, avoidance is better than cure and the only way to prevent drought is to water the lawn. If you can water it is best to do this at the first signs of drought, when the grass is still green but starting to show signs of stress (little growth and a dulling of the normal bright green coloration). If you can water try to do this evenly. Also irrigate at times when the water is more likely to soak in. The general rule here is early morning or in the evening, which probably suits most homeowners. Remember to follow any local regulations when using water in summer. If your lawn does suffer from drought then mow as little as possible, the lawn won't be growing rapidly and it will stress the lawn unnecessarily.

Broadleaf Weed Treatment

Broad leaved weeds should be treated using a suitable selective herbicide. Alternatively weed them out by hand or using a knife / mechanical weeder remembering to get the root of the weed out.

Enjoy your Lawn

Looking after and maintaining a beautiful lawn is a rewarding experience and past time. The results speak for themselves and are there for all to see. A grass surface is also one of the safest surfaces for you and your family to enjoy.

There are other benefits to having a beautiful lawn for example it is believed that standing barefoot on grass is a multi-sensory experience. It triggers within us deeply rooted associations with the smell and sound of nature and the vision of dense greenery.

Dealing with Lawn Pests

The most common lawn pests, Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets, can cause significant damage to lawns. If you notice patches of poorly growing, yellowing grass check for signs of grubs feeding on the grass roots. These pests can be easily and safely controlled by applying a suitable nematode based product. Rolawn Chafer Grub Killer should be applied from mid-July through to late October. The optimum time of year to apply Rolawn Leatherjacket Killer is from August through to late October.

This advice comes courtesy of Rolawn Direct

• What can I do to look after my lawn during dry periods? - The UK doesn’t often have long periods of hot weather but when it does, and when hose pipe bans are iminent, our lawns can soon begin looking dry or even dead. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Lawn Care Calendar - Find out how to look after your lawn month by month Share and Enjoy: ...
• Looking after your lawn in Spring - Spring is a very important season for looking after your lawn. After the rigours of winter it needs careful attention as soon as the days start to lengthen and the grass starts to grow. Giving the lawn the care it needs now will ensure the best possible results throughout the year. Mowing As the grass starts ...
• Preparing your lawn for spring - Mowing is the most important maintenance operation for any lawn. Before the first cut in spring, it is important to check the lawn and the mower. Debris, such as twigs and small branches, may have accumulated over the winter. These should be removed prior to making the first cut. Check the mower is in good ...
• 4 Easy Steps to a Great Lawn - Not everyone has the time to spend on a full year-round lawn maintenance routine, if this applies to you then here are a few easy jobs you can carry out which will make a difference to your lawn in a short space of time. Share and Enjoy: ...

They are a fast-growing plant and easy to grow, the pale papery flowers contrast especially well with purple foliage plants such as Heuchera.

Try it alongside grasses or late summer-flowering perennials, such as dahlias, which will provide interest when the plant has died back.

They take little care just cut back to ground level after flowering and lift and divide large clumps in autumn.

They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil and are fully hardy. If you don't want them to take over the whole border, dead head before the plant sets seed.

For more information on how to plant have a look at our Plant your Garden Article.

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• Plant of the Month for September – Japanese Anemone - Japanese Anemone are beautiful plants, are very easy to grow and flower their heads off from August through to the frosts. During September they are at their best when there are few other plants around. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Now is the time to divide your snowdrops - It is always best to plant Snowdrops “in the green”, that is; when they are still in leaf and even flower. In the green is also the best time to divide congested clumps and replant around you garden. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Plant your Spring Flowering Bulbs - Spring Flowering Bulbs come in lots of shapes, sizes and colours but the one thing they have in common is the ability to turn a dull late winter, early spring garden into an oasis of light and colour. No garden is complete without the good old daffodil or tulip but there are many other spring ...
• Plant of the Month for August – Hydrangea - Hydrangeas are wonderful plants and often under rated; they flower for months right up to the frosts, they grow to a good sized shrub so are ideal for adding structure to your borders and they can be used as a cut flower too. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Plant of the Month for May - Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Heart is one of the first plants to emerge in late spring and has arching sprays of dainty, rose-pink, heart-shaped flowers above fern-like, fresh green leaves. Share and Enjoy: ...