Summer Tips

With the recent spell of warm and dry weather, growth has been rapid and the garden should be starting to look well.

General tips:

Treat perennial weeds and consider mulching flower and shrub beds.

We should soon see the last of the spring frosts and bedding plants should be safely planted out. Regular deadheading of flowers and feeding of bedding plants will ensure good colour throughout the season to the autumn. Take care to water or feed early or later in the day when the sun is not too strong to avoid scorch damage to the plants.

LAWN CARE:
The growth is strong now and lawns will need regular mowing to keep them looking tidy. The cutting height will be reduced now (taking care to avoid scalping or damaging the lawn) as lawns knit together much better when closely cut.

If you have not already done so, apply a combined weed and lawn fertiliser to stimulate good grass growth and to replenish the nutrients being removed with each cut.

TREES and SHRUBS:
Prune any shrubs which have already flowered in preparation for next year's flowers.

Control weeds around trees and shrubs to avoid competition for light, water and nutrients.

Check that stakes and ties are secure but not too tight.