Maximising Your Garden’s Potential: Summer Tips for UK Gardeners

With colourful blooms to enjoy, fruits to pick, and wildlife to observe, the summer months are a rewarding period for gardeners across the UK.

Prune and Trim for Prolonged Blooms

As summer progresses, it’s a good idea to trim your perennials to encourage longer flowering and maintain their strength. A popular method, often referred to as the ‘Hampton Court Hack’, involves cutting back the shoots of your border plants by roughly a third in July. This technique helps to rejuvenate the plants and extend their blooming period.

Deadhead for Continuous Colour

To keep your flowering plants healthy and blooming throughout the summer, regularly deadhead them. Removing spent flowers encourages new growth and can prolong the flowering season. However, consider leaving some flowers to go to seed for added interest and to support local wildlife.

Water Wisely

Watering your garden efficiently is crucial, especially during the hotter months. You may not need to water as frequently if your soil is healthy and well-mulched. Water your plants deeply if they start to wilt, but avoid just wetting the surface of the soil, as this can lead to shallow rooting. The best times to water your garden are early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation.

Minimise Digging in Dry Conditions

Excessive digging during dry periods can damage soil structure, increase moisture loss, and disturb plant roots. Instead, focus on light maintenance tasks and allow your soil to retain its structure and moisture.

Embrace a Wild Lawn

Allowing parts of your lawn to grow longer can benefit local wildlife. Areas of uncut grass along borders or verges create important habitats for insects and birds. So, resist the urge to frequently mow your lawn and let it flourish naturally.

Plant Autumn Bulbs

Late summer is an ideal time to plant bulbs for autumn blooms. Consider planting cyclamens, colchicums, and dahlias to ensure your garden remains vibrant as the seasons change.

Propagate for the Future

Early to midsummer is a great time to take softwood cuttings from your plants for propagation. For semi-ripe cuttings, wait until late summer or early autumn. Sharing cuttings with friends and fellow gardeners is a wonderful way to preserve plant varieties and spread joy.

Enhance Your Garden with Onefold

Ready to elevate your garden’s aesthetic this summer? Explore a range of garden ornaments, stone planters, and decorative pieces at Onefold. Our unique products can help you create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also a haven for wildlife and a joy to spend time in.