Homes & Gardens
Summer in the garden – your chance to shine!
Our gardens may be awash with colour right now but there is still plenty to do as the experts from Hadlow College’s Broadview Garden Centre explain…
S
ummer can be a riot of colour with Agapanthus, Japanese Anemones, offering soft pinks and whites and sizzling Crocosmia.
Summer bedding plants should be in full bloom, too, with the ever-popular, easy-to-grow Cosmos tempting the bees and buterflies with its stunning daisy-like flowers throughout the summer and into early autumn. Shorter Cosmos varieties, such as Hummingbird, Xanthos or Chocolate are ideal for containers in smaller gardens. But while this season brings glorious bold hues, there is the joyous unpredictability of an English summer to contend with – and a maintenance-heavy schedule means it can be one of the most challenging times of year to make a good impression in the garden. So, while enjoying your garden, stay ahead of the game with daily maintenance that will keep it in shape until autumn.
Deadhead roses
Tis encourages a succession of blooms. If they have finished their first flush, give them a feed and spray if you need to help prevent mildews and black spot – it’s much easier to prevent than find a cure.
Prune back late spring flowering shrubs Prune and feed to encourage new growth and more flower for next year. Many herbaceous plants that have already flowered can benefit from a cut back and feed too, encouraging a second flush of blooms in many cases.
Weeding
As the blooms flourish in the sunshine, so, unfortunately, do the weeds! It’s important to set aside time every single day to remove them. As laborious as this can be, consistency is an all-important factor in keeping them under control.
Pulling them out by hand before they go to seed is still the best method – and the unpredictability of the British summer can sometimes be advantageous here, as weeds are oſten easier to remove from the root aſter a spell of rain.
Feed summer bedding and vegetables Tis will keep them going throughout summer but remember to do it regularly.
Pond maintenance
Algae will spread at a rapid rate at this time of year, especially if your pond is in a sunny position, potentially leading to a rather unpleasant ‘pea soup’ that compromises the health of your fish.
Blanket weed and floating algae can be removed using a twirling action with a rake or a cane. Duckweed will require continuous removal at this time of year as it is a very aggressive grower. Skim off any with a net and it can then be composted.
50 Mid Kent Living
Watering containers
Smaller containers and pots will heat up and dry out rapidly, so check them regularly and water thoroughly, fully soaking the compost until water emerges from drainage holes.
Hedge-trimming
Hedges can quickly lose their shape this at time of year. Most evergreen varieties will need trimming once over the summer, but conifer hedges tend to be fast-growing so litle and oſten is the key to controlling their shape. It’s best to avoid trimming conifer hedges aſter August, as this can encourage bare patches to appear, so trim earlier in the season. Be sure to check that there are no birds nesting within your hedges before cuting them back.
Plan your spring bulb displays now Note that bulbs will be arriving in garden centres from August onwards.
And finally, relax and enjoy your garden!
For further information visit:
www.broadviewgardens.co.uk
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