July Gardening Tips & Advice

Trim herbs regularly to keep them bushy with lots of new growth, any trimmings not required immediately can be dried or frozen for future us.

Use pots of straw to trap and remove earwigs and prevent damage to Dahlias and Chrysanthemums.

On hot days damp down the paths of greenhouses to help keep them cool and increase humidity.

After flowering prune old stems of rambling roses back to new growth which will produce next year’s flowers.

After flowering congested bearded Irises can be lifted and divided to restore vigour and improve flowering for next year.

When flowering has finished prune back perennials such as Delphiniums, Geraniums and Lupins to encourage new growth and further flowers..

Keep camellias well-watered at this time of year to ensure a good show of blooms next spring.

Watch out for signs of red spider and whitefly in the greenhouse, treat as soon as seen as infestations can quickly become a problem in the heat of the summer.

Rhubarb harvesting should be stopped now to allow the plant ton build up for next year.

Keep feeding and deadheading bedding and basket plants to keep the show going, if some plants are looking tired and leggy trim them back and give them a generous feed to encourage more colour later in the summer.

The vegetable plot may need additional water in hot weather, Tomatoes, Courgettes, Celery, Peas and Beans in particular enjoy plenty of moisture.

Although it’s mid-summer if you’re looking to have some winter vegetables Brassicas, Leeks and Swede can be planted now.

Prune the shoots of grape vines back to 2 leaves from the last bunch to direct energy to the fruit.

Pick runner beans regularly to prevent them becoming stringy, leaving mature pods on the plant will reduce flowering and cropping.

Hanging up yellow stick traps in the greenhouse gives a good early warning of pests and also helps reduce numbers.

Lavender can be cut for drying now, choose the newly opened flowers for the best fragrance then hang them in a cool dark place to dry.

Softwood cuttings can be taken now from shrubs such as Hydrangea, Cotinus, Pyracantha and Laurel.

Regularly sow seeds of short crops such as salad leaves and Radishes etc. to provide a continuous supply.

Deadhead Roses as flowers fade and give them a summer feed to encourage more flowers later in the summer.

If not already done stake tall growing bulbs such as Dahlia, Gladiolus and lilies to prevent them blowing over when top heavy in full bloom.