Now that the Irish summer is here, not exactly the best start, but we still live in hope, it’s a crucial time for your garden. This is when your plants and flowers can truly flourish; once you know what you are doing.
So, to help you along the way to becoming an expert summer gardener, we have compiled the below 10 top Summer gardening tips.
1.) Water early
Water in the cool of the day. The best time is morning but, if you water in the afternoon, allow enough time for foliage to dry out before sunset. This reduces the risk of mildew and other fungi attacking leaves.
2.) Take care of budding plants
Mulch & water these deeply once or twice weekly during the summer weather to avoid sudden loss of buds & flowers.
3.) Add nutrients to the water
If you can only water occasionally, try to water plants deeply and use that opportunity to simultaneously feed and correct mineral deficiencies.
4.) Ensure your water flows
Check all hoses are unblocked and not leaking and that any gutters watering the lawn are free of debris.
5.) Be vigilant with weeds
Weeds are not only unattractive, but they also steal precious soil space and resources from the plants you want. That’s why you should pull weeds constantly and consider using some weed killer as well.
6.) Be mindful of disease
Even if pests aren’t an issue, trees and plants can still become diseased easily. All it takes is some fungal spores to be carried by the wind and suddenly you’ve got a sick plant. Monitor plants and trees closely and contact us at the first sign of illness.
7.) Keep the lawn long & lush
It’s a misconception that cutting lawns low reduces the cutting frequency. Instead, mow lawns as high as your mower permits. Longer turf wears better.
8.) Look out for signs of pests
Seeing a pest isn’t always a problem – pests are attracted to gardens, and that’s nothing new. But if you see a significant pest presence or notice plants dying, that’s troublesome. You might want to consider using some pesticides to protect your garden.
9.) Only fertilize a little
Ideally, the best time for fertilization is before the summer when the plants are still growing. You can add a little more from time to time, but fertilizer is more of an aid at this point. If you over-fertilize now, you run the risk of “burning” the plants, which is bad news.
10.) Enjoy your garden
Finally, enjoy your garden this summer, remember the saying all work and no play!
