Very often the hottest month of the year, July is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy your garden wearing your favourite pair of wide fitting Cosyfeet shoes - especially with the sunny days and balmy evenings. There’s always something to do, but be mindful of being outside for long periods of time on hot days! Keep your garden looking its best with regular dead-heading, watering and general maintenance.
Read on to find out what jobs should be top of the list for July…
Ensure everything has enough water
With the warmer weather it’s important to continually water all flowers, shrubs, fruit, and veg. Make sure to also water any containers, pots and baskets to keep everything healthy. If you have a veg patch, plants such as celery, beans, peas, courgettes, pumpkins and tomatoes will need watering daily. And don’t forget the bird bath! The RSPB have some fantastic tips on creating the perfect bird bath - a fun activity to enjoy with the grandchildren.
Deadheading to encourage growth
Be sure to deadhead any perennial plants, bedding plants, roses and sweet peas which all benefit from regular deadheading throughout the summer months - helping them bloom into beautiful indoor arrangements. Cut any flowering lavender for drying, and hang them up somewhere cool to provide a lovely scent that lasts. Dried lavender can be used in all sorts of crafts, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Lavender wands
Lavender sachets
Lavender soap
Lavender shortbread
Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Many crops will be ready to harvest this month, and there’s nothing better than enjoying a meal made with the fruit and veg that you have grown in your own garden. As we move through July it’s a great time to also start sowing seeds for winter crops such as carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts and seasonal potatoes so you can make the most of your vegetable patch all year round.
We hope we’ve inspired you to enjoy the many benefits of gardening this month. Happy Gardening!