Mid-Summer Gardening Checklist: What to Do in July

July is calling us to soak in the warmth and beauty of the outdoors. It's a time for gathering with loved ones, enjoying leisurely BBQs, and lounging in the wonders of nature. The long, sunny days and balmy evenings provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities, from picnics to garden parties, making it a cherished month for outdoor enthusiasts. Amidst all these joyous gatherings, July also stands out as a prime time for Gardening.

Summer is the perfect time to dive deeper into gardening, whether you're experienced or a newcomer. It's a season to celebrate the peak of growth by actively engaging with our gardens to enhance their beauty and productivity. In July, let's focus on essential care to leverage the abundant sunlight, transforming our spaces into lush, thriving oases. This month is about nurturing plants that bring joy, from blooming flowers and homegrown vegetables to creating serene retreats, encouraging us to cultivate happiness and vitality in our outdoor spaces.

From watering and mulching to pest control and harvesting, there are numerous tasks that, when done right, can make a significant difference. By dedicating time to these essential gardening practices, we ensure the health and growth of our plants. Remember, there's no such thing as 'bad gardening'—everyone has their preferences and ways of doing things, and that's completely fine. Beginner gardeners may approach things differently from experts, but that's where we come in—to simplify and make gardening accessible to all. Gardening should be enjoyable and not overly serious. Embrace the warmth, the growth, and the life that July brings to your garden!

Calling All Fruit and Veggie Lovers

July is exciting for gardeners as their hard work starts paying off. After the rapid growth in May and June, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. You can prolong your harvest into the Autumn by choosing the suitable vegetables to plant this month.

• Even though it's summer, it's the perfect time to start planting turnips for a bountiful winter harvest. Now's the moment to ensure we can enjoy homegrown produce in our stews later.
• To encourage healthy growth for cordon tomato plants, gently remove side shoots. Either discard them or pot them to grow new plants. If you choose to propagate, remove the shoot and root it.
• It's important to harvest your courgettes regularly. You should pick these fruits before they mature into large green marrows. The ideal harvesting length depends on the specific variety you're growing, but as a general guideline, typical courgettes should be picked when they are about 10cm long.
• Let's gather fresh strawberries and juicy raspberries to create delicious fruit jams. Indulge in the sweetness of strawberries with a delightful summer pavlova! Make a sumptuous raspberry coulis with your raspberries, perfect for drizzling over cheesecakes.
• Thin out apples, plums, pears, and peaches by removing some fruit from clusters, helping the trees focus energy on developing the remaining fruit better.

Flower Power

• If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to sow biennial flowers like Foxgloves, Honesty, and Sweet William! These vibrant beauties will bring a captivating display to your garden next spring and summer, filling it with colour and charm.
• If you're tending to sweet peas this year, regularly harvest the flowers for yourself or your loved ones. Doing this will boost the plant's focus on producing even more beautiful blooms instead of forming seeds. The more you gather, the more vibrant they'll become, lasting until the first frosts arrive.

Green Dreams

Maintaining a lush, green lawn in July involves mindful mowing and proper care. During this hot month, lawns benefit from light and frequent mowing, and leaving the clippings helps to mulch the lawn naturally. Adjust the mower to a higher setting to protect the grass in dry weather. For the ultimate lush green grass, water several times per week, aiming to put down 25mm of water each week. Tackling weeds early and mowing meadows post-seeding are also key tasks this month. Wet weather can complicate lawn care. Avoid mowing wet grass to prevent soil compaction and damage. Clear debris to enhance air circulation and prevent fungal diseases. Aerate the lawn to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging, and stay vigilant for increased weed growth.

Remember these watering tips for a thriving Garden:

When to water?

Water your plants in the early morning or late evening to help them absorb more water and reduce evaporation. In hot, dry weather, water can run off sun-baked soil. To prevent this, consider creating small channels around the base of your plants to capture and hold water as it soaks in. Keeping the soil moist is crucial, especially for plants that need a lot of water. Newly planted seedlings need to be watered daily, and using a gentle mist spray bottle can be very effective. Be careful not to get water droplets on the leaves, as they can attract pests and fungi that thrive in damp conditions. Also, remember to use mulch! This organic material nourishes your plants and provides shade for your soil, helping to maintain moisture levels.

Automatic watering systems

As a dedicated gardener, you deserve to enjoy more leisure time and simplify your life by minimising the need for constant watering. Installing an irrigation system can help you accomplish just that. Water conservation is vital for preserving our planet's precious resources for future generations, especially with the prospect of more regular hose pipe bans in the UK. Installing an irrigation system helps you save water and ensures your garden stays vibrant and thriving. This proactive step will allow you to spend more time in the garden and keep your plants happy and healthy, positively contributing to a more sustainable future.

Final thoughts:

July is an amazing season for all the garden enthusiasts out there! Take joy in seeing the results of your hard work, and don't forget to keep yourself well-hydrated as you enjoy the sunshine. Remember to care for your garden and its wildlife. From July 12th to August 4th, join the Big Butterfly Count to help conservation efforts and enjoy watching butterflies. Look out for moths, too; night-blooming plants like honeysuckle, evening primrose, and sweet rocket attract these important pollinators. Enjoy seeing your hard work transform your garden. Happy gardening!