Summer’s finally here! Now’s the time when our hard work in the garden is really starting to pay off. Roses are resplendent with blooms, tomatoes are ripening by the day, and summer bulbs are ready to burst into life….
But while there’s plenty to admire, there’s still lots to be getting our hands dirty with! At British Garden Centres, we want to help you step into summer with confidence, ensuring your garden continues to flourish all summer long.
Keep reading for our top tips on summer watering and feeding, learn more about summer plant varieties, and find out how to make your own stunning, summer planter…
Watering Wisely
Summer is obviously the hottest, driest time of the year so it’s especially important to keep your plants well hydrated.
Not only is this vital for their growth, it also helps keep them strong and healthy.
A well-hydrated plant is naturally more resilient to other, external stresses like pests and diseases.
Here’s our top three tips for watering wisely this summer:
Keep it low
Using a watering can where possible, aim to water your plants deeply at their base, doing your best to avoid their foliage and flowers. Keeping water off their leaves helps prevent sun damage and reduces the risk of disease or fungus.
Nice and early
The best time to water your plants is either early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler. This helps ensure the water actually gets to your plant’s roots rather than evaporating off in the hot sun.
Time for a drink?
Not sure if your plant is thirsty? Stick a finger in the soil! If the soil is dry to the touch a couple of inches down then it’s time for a drink.
Stock up on watering essentials…
Feeding Frenzy
Most plants are growing at their fastest at this time of year, so it’s extra important to give them the nutrients and energy they need to flourish.
This is especially important for fruit and vegetables which require high levels of potassium to grow and set their fruit.
Not sure when you should be getting the fertiliser out?
Here’s a handy rule of thumb for how often you should aim to feed the different types of plants in your garden:
Fruit and veg plants
Every 1-2 weeks with a liquid feed like Tomorite or Miracle-Gro All Purpose
Bedding Plants
Aim to feed around 3 times over the course of the summer, or roughly once every month or so. Any good quality liquid feed is fine.
Ericaceous Plants
Much like bedding plants, you should aim to feed every month or so. Make sure you use a fertiliser specifically for ericaceous (acid-loving) plants.
Don’t forget your houseplants!
While the garden tends to steal the show in summer, houseplants are actually just as – if not more – in need of feeding throughout the warmer months.
This is because the soil in your houseplant’s pot is gradually depleted of nutrients over time and isn’t naturally replenished by other organic matter like beds and borders can be.
Aim to feed your houseplants around every 2 weeks through summer using a diluted liquid feed concentrate or this handy droplet feeder – perfect for when you’re away on your summer holiday!
Give your plants the best…
Sunshine in a pot
Summer gives us a fabulous array of flowers and foliage to choose from, making it the ideal time to plant up your own summer arrangement.
Whether you go for bold and bright or soft and subtle, the beauty of making your own planter is you have the freedom to choose exactly what you want!
Don’t feel the need to stick to just bedding plants, either – you can add in tender or hardy perennials too. The great thing with these being you can plant them out in the garden or overwinter them for next year after your display has faded.
Itching to get planting?
Pop into your local British Garden Centre to stock up on dazzling summer plants and flowers, or watch Eve’s video for some inspiration…
Summer Gardening FAQs!
Gardening rarely goes exactly how we expect it!
Plants looking a little limp? Struggling with tending to your tomatoes?
Here’s a list of solutions to some of the most common problems you’re likely to face in your garden this summer…
Q: My plants are wilting even though I’m watering often – what’s going on?
A: This is likely heat stress. Move affected plants to a shadier spot to allow them to recuperate.
Q: Why am I not getting many flowers?
A: There can be a variety of reasons, but the most common are lack of sunlight, overfeeding, and lack of deadheading. Ensure sun-loving flowers like roses and dahlias are getting plenty of direct sunlight to encourage blooms. Overfeeding can result in too much nitrogen in the soil. This encourages lots of foliage but can stunt flower production. Switch to a high-potash feed if you think this is the problem. Make sure you stay on top of deadheading as soon as blooms are past their best to encourage new flowers.
Q: Why are my tomatoes are splitting?
A: Splitting skins is caused by sudden uptake of water after a period of drought. Aim to water consistently, especially as the fruit is ripening.
Q: How often should I water in a heatwave?
A: Prioritise containers, hanging baskets and vegetables. Even in very hot weather, once a day will almost always suffice: the important thing is that you water plants deeply, rather than constant little top-ups. Frequent, light watering encourages weak roots and means more of the water will evaporate, stopping it from getting to your plants. Mulching also helps prevent evaporation so more water goes to your plants.
Q: Can I plant perennials in summer?
A: Autumn or spring is a better time to plant perennials, but you can still do so during summer. Just make sure you keep them well watered – mulching can help.
Q: Do I need to prune in summer?
A: Only for certain plants like wisteria, fruit trees, and spring-flowering shrubs which benefit from better shape, airflow, and more flowers. But avoid pruning autumn and winter-flowering plants, late-flowering perennials and trees prone to ‘sap-bleeding’ like birch, maple and hornbeam. If in doubt, don’t prune!
And finally…
We’d love to see your summer garden!
Whether you want to show off your new summer planter or share how your veg is doing, we’d love to see your snaps!
Use the hashtag #stepintosummer and tag us @britishgardencentres – we’ll share our favourites!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook if you’re not already…
