Summer is well and truly on its way, and if recent weather is anything to go by, we are set for a few glorious weeks of sunshine! With the longest day approaching, it is worth making the most of the extra daylight hours by doing a little extra work in your garden, to make sure that it is blooming lovely this summer.
It is easy to get so excited about the sunshine that you forget to water your plants. Just like us, plants need more water in the sunshine. Make sure you check your plants daily and water if the soil is dry. On scorching days, don’t be tempted to water in full sunlight; the water will quickly evaporate and could damage the plants. Where possible, water in the evening, particularly new shrubs and trees that are not yet properly established.
A top tip when watering plants is to dig a shallow well around the plant, which you can then fill. This has more chance of soaking in, rather than evaporating, and encourages fewer weeds.
Pick your blooms
As soon as your sweet peas come into flower, get picking! Don’t be shy: the more you pick, the more you will encourage new blooms.
Lift and divide overcrowded bulbs such as snowdrops, bluebells and lilies and cut poppies all the way back to promote new foliage. If your roses are repeat flowerers, deadhead them to promote new blooms, but if they are single flowerers, leave the seed heads on for decoration.
To prevent straggly fuchsias, pick out the tips for a bushier plant.
If there hasn’t been much rain, raise the blades on your lawn mower slightly. Where possible, water your lawn at night – preferably with brown water to save water. If your lawn looks a bit sad, add some lawn feed, but make sure you choose one that is insect and animal friendly to prevent any unwanted casualties.
If you don’t yet have water butts, it’s not too late to install them. They are cheap, easy to use and can save you money as well as being better for the environment. Even if you don’t have a butt, you can do your bit by saving bath water for watering your lawn, or using washing up water or discarded drinking water on pot plants and in the garden.
Whether you want help in the garden or around the house, our directory of rated local traders is on hand to help you to make the most of your home, all year around. We know that people are busy, and that sometimes it is just not possible to do everything that you want to do. If you would like help installing a water butt, why not contact one of Trust A Trader’s reliable local handymen and women? They will be able to do the work for you quickly with no stress.