Five ‘key tasks’ that will ‘really help’ to keep gardens ‘thriving’ in summer

Peak gardening season is well underway, which means there are plenty of jobs to keep gardens looking their best in July.

From keeping plants hydrated to controlling common summer pests, Bryan Clayton, gardening expert and CEO of GreenPal, has shared garden tasks to be getting on with this month.

He told Express.co.uk: “In my experience as CEO of GreenPal, with over 22 years in the landscaping industry, there are a few key tasks for July that will really help to keep your garden thriving and keep it looking its best.”

1. Watering 

Despite the UK experiencing wet weather in the coming days, the weather typically tends to be hot in July, so plants generally need more water.

The experts said: “Most people don’t know this, but it’s better to water plants deeply and less frequently rather than little and often. 

“I’ve tested this and it encourages the roots to grow deeper, making plants more drought-resistant.”

2. Pruning 

Based on the results of his own experimentation, Bryan claims that July is an “ideal time to prune” spring-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming.

He said: “This stimulates growth for next year’s blooms. Remember, though, don’t prune any plants that will bloom in the autumn.”

3. Deadheading 

While deadheading seems like a task that is minor, it does have a “big impact”.

The gardening pro explained that removing faded flowers from plants, not only “keeps them looking neat” but also “encourages them to produce more blooms”.

4. Harvesting 

July is often known as a bountiful month for fruit and vegetable in gardens.

Regular harvesting is amazing for plants as it encourages them to “continue producing”. 

Bryan said: “I’ve experimented with this and found that picking zucchini, beans, and cucumbers, while they’re young and tender, gives the best flavour.

5. Pest control

Last but not least, gardeners should be keeping an eye out for pests destroying their plants this month.

The expert said: “Most people don’t realise that aphids are common in July.” Aphids are among the most destructive pests found on plants. 

They are the fear of many growers, as they can cause yellowing, blotchy leaves, stunted growth, curled leaves, browning, low yields and even death in plants.

To get rid of aphids, Bryan suggested using an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.