When the temperatures soar, it’s not just we who feel the effects – our gardens do too. Long, hot days can leave lawns looking tired, flowers wilting and vegetables struggling to cope. The good news is that with a few simple changes to your gardening routine, you can help your plants stay healthy and continue looking their best throughout the hottest spells. Water Wisely One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make during a heatwave is watering little and often. Instead, give your plants a thorough soak a few times a week. Deep watering encourages roots to grow further into the soil, making plants more resilient to dry conditions. The best times to water are: Early morning before the sun becomes strong. Late evening once temperatures begin to cool. Avoid watering during the middle of the day, as much of the moisture will evaporate before it reaches the roots. Don’t Forget Your Containers Plants growing in pots and hanging baskets dry out much faster than those planted in the ground. During very hot weather they may need watering every day, and sometimes even twice daily. Check the compost by inserting your finger a couple of inches below the surface. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Adding water-retaining gel or placing saucers beneath pots can also help reduce moisture loss. Mulch Makes a Big Difference Applying a generous layer of mulch around your plants helps lock moisture into the soil, reduces evaporation and keeps roots cooler. Organic mulches such as bark, compost or well-rotted manure are excellent choices and have the added benefit of improving soil health as they break down. Give Your Lawn a Break A brown lawn during a heatwave isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grass naturally goes dormant in prolonged dry weather and will usually recover when rain returns. Raise the cutting height on your mower and avoid cutting the grass too short. Longer blades help shade the soil and retain moisture. If water supplies are limited, prioritise watering newly planted trees, shrubs and flower beds rather than established lawns. Protect More Delicate Plants Some plants, particularly young plants and recent purchases, can struggle in intense sunshine. Move containers into partial shade where possible or use garden fleece, shade netting or even a parasol to provide temporary protection during the hottest part of the day. Deadhead and Harvest Regularly Removing faded flowers encourages many bedding plants to continue blooming rather than putting energy into producing seed. If you’re growing fruit and vegetables, harvest them regularly. Courgettes, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers all benefit from frequent picking, helping plants remain productive throughout the summer. Avoid Feeding Stressed Plants It can be tempting to give struggling plants a boost with fertiliser, but during extreme heat they’re already under stress. Wait until temperatures cool or after rainfall before applying liquid feeds or fertilisers. Always water plants well before feeding. Keep an Eye Out for Pests Hot, dry weather often encourages pests such as aphids, red spider mites and whitefly. Inspect plants regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, so you can tackle problems before they become established. Think About Your Wildlife Birds, bees and other garden visitors also need extra help during hot weather. Leave shallow dishes of fresh water around the garden, topping them up daily. Bees will also appreciate water with a few pebbles or stones to land on safely. Plan Ahead for Future Summers As our summers become warmer, consider introducing drought-tolerant plants into your borders. Lavender, salvias, sedum, rosemary, ornamental grasses and many Mediterranean plants cope exceptionally well with periods of dry weather once established. Improving your soil with organic matter throughout the year will also increase its ability to retain moisture when you need it most. We’re Here to Help If you’re unsure which plants are best suited to sunny gardens, need advice on watering or are looking for products to help your garden cope with the heat, visit our Plant Canopy. Our knowledgeable team are always happy to offer advice and help you choose the right plants, composts, mulches and feeds to keep your garden flourishing all summer long. With a little extra care during a heatwave, your garden can continue to look vibrant, healthy and full of life – even when the temperatures are at their highest. Why not visit us and explore the range for yourself? Our team will be happy to help you find the perfect water feature to suit your garden and create your own peaceful outdoor retreat. Contact our team for more information. CONTACT US

It’s now time to enjoy the sunny weather and relish just spending time relaxing in your garden. Keep on top of these easy jobs to keep your garden looking tip top through the heat. Here’s a summary, but scroll down if you want more information on any of these jobs! In the Vegetable Plot Feed vegetablesPlant second cropping potatoesPick out growth tips on courgette and squashPinch out side shoots on tomatoes In the Flower Bed Feed plantsContinue deadheading Around the Garden Give your lawn a feedWater regularlyKeep on top of pestsPrune wisteria In the vegetable plot Feed vegetables Feeding your vegetables with a liquid feed can prevent bitterness in your crops. Plant second-cropping potatoes It’s a good idea to plant these in containers or sacks which can be brought under cover when the first frosts hit. Pick out growth tips Pick out the new growth tips on courgette and squash to encourage them to branch out. Pinch out side shoots Pinch out the side shoots on tomatoes regularly and remove any leaves below the lowest truss which has ripening fruit on it. This will help to prevent disease and improve air circulation. In the flower beds Feed plants Plants such as roses can really benefit from a summer feed as it can encourage a second flush in Autumn. Continue to deadhead Bedding plants, roses and other perennials will benefit from regular deadheading. Picking off the fading flowers will prolong the flowering period and keep things tidy, making your garden look more attractive. You can also get a second bloom from faded annuals by cutting them back and then fertilising them. Around the garden Water regularly The main reason that plants don’t thrive at this time of year is because they haven’t been watered properly. Pots and Planters are the most susceptible to drying out and need watering once a day. If you are struggling to keep on top of them, move them into a shady spot where they should dry out slower. Try to water at dusk, when drops of water on leaves won’t scorch the leaves and where possible, use grey water. Sources of greywater include, sinks, showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers. Give your lawn a summer feed Give you lawn a feed if you didn’t do so in Spring, to encourage healthy green growth. Keep on top of pests The summer is prime for garden pests, keep an eye on your plants and make sure they aren’t being eaten. A common pest at this time of year is black fly who suck on the sap of plants and eventually kill them. Prune Wisteria Prune now to keep the size under control and improve the quality of flowering. Remove straggly side-shoots from the main branch framework by cutting back to about five leaves from the main stem. For the wildlife Bird feeders & baths Keep bird feeders and baths regularly topped up and cleaned – high protein foods are best. Pond plants Grow low growing plants at the sides of ponds to aid baby frogs, they will use these plants are shelter and hiding spots. Hedges Try to avoid trimming hedges until fledglings have left their nests. Hoglets Hoglets are born this month, do your best to leave their nests in peace and leave a source of fresh water and food. Grass snakes This month is grass snake breeding season – if you find small white eggs in the ground leave them be. What To Plant This Month If you’d like to find out more or have questions then please do come and talk to our experts CONTACT US

July is a great month for sowing new varieties as the weather is steady and allows for fast germination. Here are our top recommendations for planting in the month of July… Veg to plant in July… Radishes Radishes prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Lettuce Loose-leaf, butterhead, and romaine varieties are well-suited for summer planting. Beetroot You can directly sow beetroot seeds now for a harvest in autumn. Cabbage Cabbages for winter can now be planted out – protect from pests with netting. Carrots This is the last opportunity to sow carrot seeds for a crop in the following months. Herbs Fast-growing herbs can be directly sown into the ground now; parsley, dill and coriander are great options. Flowers to plant in July… Forget-me-not Sprinkle forget-me-not seeds in your beds and borders. Delphinium Sow delphiniums directly outside now for wonderful and colourful blooms the following spring. Pansies For wonderful autumn and winter bedding, sow pansies now. Foxgloves To allow time for germination, sow foxgloves now for gorgeous blooms the following summer. If you’d like to find out more or have questions then please do come and talk to our experts CONTACT US