As the sun shines brightly and temperatures rise, maintaining a healthy and vibrant garden can be a challenge. However, with the right knowledge and practices, you can transform your outdoor space into a flourishing oasis!
In this blog, we will guide you through three essential tips for successful garden care during the summer season. By implementing these tried-and-trusted methods, you’ll be equipped to tackle the unique challenges that summer brings and ensure your plants not only survive but truly thrive!
1. How often should I water my garden in summer?
Our first tip is related to a question we’re asked a lot during the summer – how often should you water your garden?
During the hot summer months, it’s essential to water your garden properly. As the temperature rises plants can quickly become thirsty and suffer from heat stress.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between providing enough water and avoiding overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other issues.
Here are some key considerations when it comes to watering your garden wisely during the summer…
- Quality over quantity – Instead of giving your plants light, frequent sprinkles, focus on deep watering. This means allowing water to penetrate deeply into the soil, encouraging plants to develop strong and resilient root systems. Shallow watering only reaches the surface, promoting shallow root growth, which can make plants more vulnerable to drought. Watering deeply and infrequently, preferably once or twice a week, ensures that water reaches the root zone where plants need it most.
- It’s all in the timing – Timing is crucial when it comes to watering during the summer. Water your garden in the early morning or late evening to minimize water loss through evaporation. These cooler periods of the day allow the water to soak into the soil effectively, providing plants with the hydration they need without losing moisture to the hot sun. Avoid watering during the peak heat of the day, as it can lead to water waste and potential damage to the plants.
View below our dedicated blog on Lawn Care – including lawn watering
2. Mulching – what is it and how can it help my summer garden?
Mulching is the practice of applying a layer of material over the soil surface in gardens and landscapes. The material used for mulching, known as mulch, can be organic or inorganic and serves several purposes to benefit plants and the overall garden ecosystem.
Organic mulches include materials such as wood chips, bark, straw, compost, leaves, grass clippings, and shredded plant material. These mulches break down over time, adding organic matter to the soil and improving its structure and fertility. Mulching is a highly effective technique for moisture retention in your garden during the summer season.
Mulch acts as a protective layer over the soil, preventing direct exposure to the sun’s rays. This shading effect helps to reduce evaporation by minimizing the amount of water lost through the soil surface. With less water evaporating, more moisture remains available to your plants’ root systems, ensuring they stay hydrated during the hot summer days.
3. Regular pruning and deadheading
Regular pruning and deadheading are essential gardening practices that can greatly benefit your plants during the summer season.
Pruning can stimulate the growth of new branches, stems, and foliage. By selectively removing older or overgrown parts of the plant, you redirect the plant’s energy towards producing fresh growth. This can result in a more compact and attractive plant shape, promote better branching, and encourage the development of more flowers or fruits.
The same goes for deadheading too – when you remove faded flowers, you prevent the plants from using their energy to produce seeds. Instead, they can redirect that energy into creating new flower buds, extending the blooming period and ensuring a continuous display of colour throughout the summer.
Need support with your garden this summer?
Managing your garden during the summer can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if you have a large or complex garden with lots of plants and trees.
If you require professional help – why not try us, we’ve been tending to gardens during the summer for over 15 years, so we’re well equipped to take care of your summer garden needs!
We also provide support for commercial gardening jobs, and have specialist equipment to tackle large areas in a short amount of time.
So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us now for a free quote! Covering Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
