Community
20 December, 2024
Summer in the garden
AS the days get warmer our thoughts turn to keeping our gardens and lawns fresh.
While the heat can sometimes stop us from doing as much as we would hoped in the garden, all is not lost.
Make sure you give your garden beds a quick refresh with a layer of mulch.
Many gardeners believe that keeping your lawn low reduces the amount of times you will need to pull the mower out of the shed.
But this is not always the case, nor is it good for the health of your lawn.
Lawns that turn brown, develop bare patches and become infested with weeds are common symptoms of scalping (cutting the lawn too low).
During the hotter months try to mow your lawn as high as your mower allows as lengthy grass will wear better and deter weeds in the heat.
Plants in pots look great but these are susceptible to overheating during the summer months, especially those in pots made from stone, terracotta and concrete.
On warm days try to move these pots in to the shade, away from direct sunlight.
If your plants (in pots) dry out to the point where water doesn’t soak into the soil, try soaking the entire pot in a tub of water for about half an hour and then stand to drain.
Avoid watering your garden in the scorching sun and instead water during the coolest part of the day.
While morning is best, if you do water in the afternoon make sure you allow enough time for your plants to dry before the mozzies appear.
If going through times of water restrictions, which limits the amount of water you can use on your garden, aim to water plans deeply – and use soluble fertilisers for added minerals.
If you have recently added new plants to your garden they will need time to adjust to the sun.
Some coverage with shadecloth for a week or two will help with protection.
