Things to do in July

In the blink of an eye, June has given way to July which means summer is in full swing. Gardens are full of colour from roses to flowering annuals and there are plenty of seasonal delights to harvest from the vegetable patches. Whilst it is important to take the time to enjoy your garden, there are plenty of small things to do to keep it looking great over the next few months.

Things to do:

1. Water wisely and with conservation in mind and try re-using grey water on the lawn or ornamental plants.
2. Remove faded flowers from roses and be sure to keep them fed and watered.
3. Check that any tall growing perennials have some support available.
4. Also check that climbers of whatever form have plenty of support and tie in any stems that have their own ideas.
5. Plant autumn bulbs.
6. Run the hoe around the borders, beds and plots to keep weeds in check and stop them setting seed.
7. There is still time to sow vegetables including carrots, beetroot, lettuce, peas and beans especially with our growing season extending.
8. Keep an eye on your greenhouse to make sure it doesn’t get too hot and if needed organise some shading.
9. Train bindweed up canes and once it well on its way, dab a few leaves with some appropriate weedkiller, as a last resort, which should see off this perennial pest.
10. Whilst your herbs are at their best, pick a few handfuls for drying and freezing.
11. Don’t forget to prune your wisteria.
12. Prune faded Lupin flowers back to their first set of leaves as a often there will be a new flower stalk forming.

What others suggest

There are plenty of other things you can be doing this month and below are links to a few of those with suggestions:

• What to do now (July) – Gardener’s World
• What to do in the garden in July – Thompson & Morgan
• July – RHS
• What to do in your garden in July – Suttons
• Fruit & Vegetable Growing Guide for July – Allotment Garden