Key Summer Gardening Tasks Explained by Experts

Summer is an ideal time for gardening, with vibrant perennials and annuals in full bloom. Here are essential gardening tasks to ensure your outdoor space remains in top shape:

  1. Weeding Flower Beds: Helen Nyul of Barratt Homes emphasizes keeping up with weeds, which grow rapidly in summer. Manual removal is recommended for thoroughness.

  2. Deadheading Spent Blooms: Claire Hooper from Hillier Garden Centres advises removing faded flowers to promote new growth. Techniques vary by plant type, but careful cutting above healthy leaf nodes is essential.

  3. Watering: Nigel Lawton of Dobbies suggests using harvested rainwater, which is chemical-free, and watering early or late in the day to avoid leaf burn. Mulching helps retain soil moisture.

  4. Lawn Care: Chris Cooper of Hayter highlights mowing every three to five days and not cutting more than a third of the grass height. Leaving clippings can naturally fertilize your lawn.

  5. Planting Late-Summer Flowers: Helen Nyul recommends planting Asters and Hydrangeas for continued color into autumn. These plants thrive best in full sun and well-drained soil.

  6. Taking Cuttings: Sarah Raven advises propagating perennials like pelargoniums. Planting cut stems in moist compost can yield new plants for the next season.

  7. Staking Taller Plants: Taller plants like dahlias and delphiniums may need staking to withstand wind and rain, notes Sarah.

  8. Managing Pests: Josh Novell recommends regular checks for pests and using homemade deterrents like a water and soap mixture for aphids.

Expert advice and effective techniques can make summer gardening both manageable and rewarding.