In July we finally had some lovely hot summer weather and our lawn turned brown which we have not seen for a few years. The recent thunderstorms at the end of the hot weather and more rain since is gradually returning our lawn back to green. It has just been great to get out and sit in the garden and have a BBQ or five and enjoy eating outside.
Between the dry sunny weather and school holidays our lawns have taken a bit of a pounding, so raise the blades on your mower and cut the grass less often. For those who are very keen you can also apply a summer feed.
Continue to water well your containers and hanging baskets and add in a weekly feed of high-potassium fertiliser (e.g. tomato feed) and remember to deadhead.
Deadheading flowers now is vital to prolong the flowering season. Hardy Geraniums that have flowered can be cut back hard to encourage a second flowering. Deadhead Roses, Dahlias, Lavenders etc etc and keep cutting Sweet Pea flowers to enjoy indoors.
Prune back the current season’s Wisteria whippy growth back to five or six leaves.
August is the month to trim your hedges. We have two Privet hedges and one Beech hedge, so this keeps us busy.
Give some support to late flowering plants in your borders to stop them flopping, such as Asters and Sedums and Dahlias.
Plant your autumn flowering Crocus bulbs.
Order your bulbs now for autumn planting for spring colour next year.
Enjoy your garden – add some seats around the garden to tempt you out.
