With the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s important to take some time to tend to your garden before leaving it unattended for a fortnight. Whether your garden is small or big, these five points of attention will help ensure its well-being.
First and foremost, weeds should not be neglected. Despite recent praise for their ecological benefits, it’s best to remove them if you want a garden filled with diverse plants and flowers year-round. Weeds compete for water with more visually appealing plants and can crowd out their neighbors. Additionally, they create a messy appearance that is not as appealing as a well-maintained garden. So, resist the hype surrounding weeds and prioritize their removal.
While it’s true that some weeds, like ivy, can support local butterfly populations, the attractiveness of your garden to pollinators depends on various factors, especially in urban areas. Pollinators tend to gravitate towards cultivated flowers in well-tended gardens, so don’t rely solely on wildflowers to attract them.
Before going on holiday, it’s important to control the flowering and seeding of weeds. Remove flowering weeds or at least cut off their heads to prevent them from spreading during your absence. Look out for pale-pink willowherbs, thistles, and chickweed, and make sure to pull them up from the roots. Don’t worry too much about digging up bindweed or ground elder now – tackle them when you return. However, remove any accessible stems and prevent the spread of their seeds. Remember, “One year’s seeding, seven years’ weeding,” so stay vigilant.
To create a tidy and controlled appearance in your garden, focus on the front rows of borders or flowerbeds. Tending to these areas will give you a sense of order upon your return, even if the middle and back rows are a bit unruly. Rather than completing one whole bed, weed the fronts of various areas in your garden.
Next, it’s time to cut down perennial plants that have finished flowering. Hardy perennial geraniums, except for varieties like Rozanne, should have their top growth removed, leaving only the cluster of leaves at ground level. Other plants like foxgloves, early verbascums, and Campanula persicifolia should also be cut back, leaving a stem or two for seed scattering.
Pruning is essential for roses and wisteria. Remove dead flowers from roses, focusing on varieties that have second flowerings in September. This will encourage a good second bloom. For wisterias, prune back the thin, green stems to prevent them from overgrowing. Concentrate on creating a solid framework of stems for rambling roses to ensure a healthy bloom next year.
Soaking and feeding your plants is crucial before leaving for your holiday. Even if there has been rain, take the time to thoroughly water plants in pots and containers until water drains from the holes in the bottom. Densely planted pots often lack sufficient water, so a long steady watering is necessary. Once the plants are wet, use diluted fertilizer to feed them. Use Tomorite for dahlias and other larger plants, and Phostrogen for smaller bedding plants. These feeds will last for the duration of your absence.
Finally, consider a planting idea for next year. Alpine strawberries planted along the narrow gap between paving stones and a lawn can create a stunning visual and provide deliciously flavored fruits. Thompson and Morgan offer Alpine strawberry Mignonette seeds for a reasonable price. Plant them in September and look forward to enjoying your own homegrown strawberries upon your return.
Take the time to care for your garden before leaving on your summer holiday, and it will reward you with a beautiful and thriving space upon your return. For more captivating stories and tips on all things home and property, follow @FTProperty on Twitter or @ft_houseandhome on Instagram.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
