As temperatures rise and plants flourish, more of us will spend more time growing plants and crops in the gardens. While you can do plenty of things to support healthy plant growth, there are also two common mistakes people should be careful to avoid. Pam Smith, Senior National Consultant for Gardens and Parklands at the National Trust, shared her expert tips to help your garden thrive through the summer without falling into these seasonal pitfalls.
While it may seem like plants need much more water in the heat and sun, Smith advised that many gardens tend to be overwatered during the warmer months. If your soil is healthy and well-mulched, it retains more moisture than you might think, meaning it may not need that much.
Ensure you water only when necessary, and look for signs like wilting leaves. Avoid watering just the surface of the soil, as this encourages shallow rooting and can weaken your plants.
The best times to water are early in the morning or in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is also minimal. Another thing to avoid is digging.
Digging during dry periods can also do more harm than good, as it can disrupt the soil structure, increase water loss, and damage the delicate roots of plants.
Instead, try to minimise disturbance to your beds during dry spells and focus on mulching to preserve moisture.
Other tips from the National Trust include letting your lawn grow longer to support insects and birds.
Jim Teague, Head of Blue Diamond Bridgemere Nursery, said: “You may not realise that some of the most common, unassuming garden features can house thriving worlds of wildlife.
“Our lawns for example, especially areas of uncut long grass along the edge of a border or a grass verge, are an important habitat for all sorts of insects and birds. Don’t be too quick to cut your lawns.”
Trimming back perennials and deadheading flowering plants regularly is also a good idea to encourage strong, healthy growth and prolonged blooming.
