YouGarden TV’s Shaun Ryan is here with simple, practical advice to keep your garden looking its best through July, from watering and feeding to deadheading and, most importantly, enjoying it:
“July is often the month when our gardens look their very best. In fact, there’s a famous quote often associated with Alan Titchmarsh: “If your garden doesn’t look great in July, perhaps you should think about another hobby.”
“While that’s said tongue-in-cheek, there is certainly some truth in it. July is a wonderful month in the garden, with borders bursting with colour and containers overflowing with flowers. However, if you don’t stay on top of a few key jobs, plants can very quickly start to go over.
Water Deeply To Keep Plants Thriving
“Watering first and foremost, is absolutely key in July. It’s often one of the hottest months of the year, and plants can quickly become stressed if they don’t receive enough moisture.
“Personally, I prefer to give my garden a thorough soaking every few days rather than a light sprinkle every day. This allows the water to penetrate deep into the soil and reach the roots, where it’s needed most. In my experience, it’s a far more effective way of watering.
“As for the best time of day, early morning gets my vote every time. I enjoy being out in the garden first thing anyway, and watering in the morning gives plants the chance to absorb the moisture before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate.
“Try to avoid watering during the middle of the day whenever possible. Much of the water can be lost through evaporation before it ever reaches the roots. Evening watering can work well, but it’s worth remembering that leaving foliage damp overnight can sometimes make plants more susceptible to problems such as mildew. If you have the choice, early morning is definitely the best option.
Feed Pots And Borders To Keep Them At Their Best
“Feeding is another essential job in July, particularly for pots and containers. At this stage of the season, plants are often becoming crowded and competing for nutrients.
“Regular feeding helps to keep them healthy, vigorous and flowering freely. I try to feed my pots and containers every week throughout July. If I’m particularly busy, I make sure they are fed at least a couple of times a month.
Stock up on Garden Essentials for summer! Compost, Fertiliser and More!
“After that, I’ll move on to feeding my beds and borders. I generally use just one fertiliser – Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser from YouGarden. It’s affordable, easy to use, and highly effective. One spoonful in a bucket of water, followed by a quick stir, is all that’s needed. “It’s rich in the three key nutrients that plants need – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients support healthy growth throughout the plant, and because it’s particularly high in potassium, it helps encourage even more flowers and fruits.
Remove Faded Flowers Before Plants Run Out Of Steam
“Deadheading is another important task during July. Plants such as petunias, fuchsias and geraniums all benefit from regular deadheading. In simple terms, this means removing the spent flowers.
“If old blooms are left in place, the plant begins to focus its energy on producing seed rather than producing more flowers.
“Some annuals are self-cleaning and don’t require any attention. Begonias and Busy Lizzies, for example, tend to tidy themselves up naturally. However, many popular summer bedding plants will continue flowering for much longer if you take a few minutes every week to remove faded blooms.
Most Importantly – Enjoy Your Garden
“My final piece of advice is perhaps the most important of all – enjoy your garden.
“After all the hard work you’ve put in throughout spring and early summer, July is the time to reap the rewards. Fire up the barbecue, invite friends and family over, and take the opportunity to show off everything you’ve achieved.
“The evenings are already beginning to draw in, and autumn isn’t actually that far away. So, make the most of these wonderful summer days while they’re here. Happy gardening, and I’ll see you soon.”
