Gardens are now reaching their peak, full of colour and scent from flowers such as roses and sweet peas. Gardening can take a more leisurely pace now. It really is the time of year to enjoy your garden, appreciate the flowers and watch the abundance of resident wildlife.

Make sure the birds have enough water during spells of dry weather and be sure to keep new and young plants well-watered all through the summer. Plants in containers are particularly susceptible to drought, so give them plenty of water (hanging baskets may require watering twice a day) and feed with a suitable plant food once every two weeks.

 

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There is no need to water established lawns unless absolutely necessary.  If you have to water, really soak it once a week, rather than a sprinkling every day. Established lawns will turn brown in hot weather but it’s not worth wasting water on them, as the grass should recover. Give the lawn a liquid feed unless you did so in June. Most lawns will benefit from a quick boost and there are many types of product on the market.  New lawns (laid or seeded earlier on in the year) will require watering in dry weather. This is vitally important; if it shrinks when it dries it’s virtually impossible to undo the damage when this has happened.

 

 

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Continue to mow grass regularly during this month to encourage good growth. Mowing is the best way to ensure you have a good lawn. Once a week is fine but mow twice a week for a really good lawn. During dry weather raise the blades of the mower and mow less often. The grass is best left a little longer during dry periods because it will not be growing as vigorously. If it’s very dry, leave the clippings on the lawn to act as a mulch and help reduce moisture loss.