You will need to water as necessary, though if your weather has been anything like here in Jersey you will not have had to get the hose pipe out too often. Which is strange because I recall that this summer was going to be hot and dry, still there is plenty of time yet for that and by now your garden should be alive with sights, sounds and smells. By the way you still need to feed the lawn but remember the more you feed the more you need to mow.
If you did not get round to planting out your summer bedding it is still not too late, though do not get way laid by your magnificent lawn and reclining chair in the hot sun. So get those borders, baskets and containers planted then sit down with a reward of a cuppa and a snooze.
For well advanced plants, pinch out the growing points to encourage bushy growth and more flowers. Container plants will need the occasional (!) feed to keep them in tip top condition. Fuchsias make lovely stop gaps and can grow large enough to become a feature but choose wisely.
Dead-head plants such as delphiniums, lupins and paeonies to keep them tidy, petunias and nasturtiums to keep them flowering. As mentioned earlier pruning often encourages a second flush of flowers late in the season. If you like aquilegia, leave the seedheads on to encourage spreading.
Have you noticed something about gardening, it goes something like; plant, weed, feed, weed, cut, weed, water, weed, feed, weed, water, plant and repeat. Therefore to avoid repetitive strain injury do not forget to award yourself “quality time” i.e. sit down with a cup, or glass, of your favourite drink and admire all your hard work, even if it is a dead geranium in a window box.
Back to reality then, July is a good month for wildlife, particularly for insects, slugs and snails. Hopefully the garden birds, especially blue tits, blackbirds and thrushes will keep the levels down which should ensure a healthy bird population as well.
Of course there is always a down side to things, so remember to net fruit bushes to keep the aforementioned birds away, but ensure birds do not get trapped in the netting.
Moths and butterflies are attracted night scented plants, such as honeysuckle, evening primrose, jasmine and sweet scented stocks.
Lavender is noted for its aromatic leaves and fragrant flowers which encourages bees, butterflies and other flying insects into your garden. Create an Insect Theme Park by planting more herbs such as thyme, marjoram, sage, mint, tarragon and rosemary.
That’s all for July, next month the dog days of August.