Summer is an exceptionally exciting time for most gardeners. The months of hard work during the Autumn, Winter and Spring finally coming to fruition. The sheer volume of flowers and vegetables that will bloom or be harvestable in Summer really does make the juice worth the squeeze!
However, with rising temperatures, higher levels of humidity, more foot traffic in the form of kids playing on the grass or family barbecues, any of the best gardeners in Eastern Suburbs Sydney will tell you that it’s quite easy for gardens to start to become unhealthy and cry out for some TLC. Check out our summer gardening tips below for clues on how to avoid unhealthy gardens this season!
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Be Smart with Watering
It becomes very tempting to water every plant every day during the hot, sunny, summer months. However, it is possible to “over-water” your garden. Learn what time of day is best to water your garden. This is also without a doubt one of the best summer gardening tips for herbs! Herbs love to have water, but it is very easy to overdo it, or let mould form if left wet overnight.
Water is a vital part of gardening in the Summer – but don’t overdo it
This usually is dictated to by which direction your garden faces and therefore what time of day it will catch the sun. If your garden gets its heaviest sun in the morning, then water then. If it’s in the evening, then do it then.
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Don’t Water at Night or Sunset, However
It’s very easy to think that you can just water your garden when you get home from work, or when the sun starts to set as it gets cooler. This could be a mistake, however, as it can lead to some fungus growths and dampness.
Make sure to pick the right time of day to water your garden
To have a good level of garden maintenance in Sydney, you need to know which direction their garden faces. Generally I would recommend watering in the mornings, unless your garden faces West, in which case, mid-late Afternoon is best.
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Use mulch or other fertilisers/ nutrients as well as water
If you’re looking for one of the best summer gardening tips for flowers, If you just use water, your plants may still struggle to survive in the Summer. Using mulch can help both to protect your plant and also feed your plant.
Sometimes you need to give some extra food to your plants in Summer
Other nutrients such as plant feed or fertiliser is also a great idea, to ensure that your plants are getting as many nutrients as possible to help in the stifling heat or dryness of Summer.
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Don’t Be Afraid When Pruning
Don’t be scared to cut those shrubs right back. Dead blooms just block light or moisture from those that are still alive and growing, and divert some of the plant’s precious energy.
Many newcomers to gardening aren’t brave enough with their pruning. Cut them right back
Don’t be shy when pruning, in this case more is definitely more!
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Be aware of your pest control
Pests tend to prevail and proliferate in Summer, both indoors and outdoors. Garden pests are no different. Tonnes of cockroaches, snails, caterpillars and more.
Pests are just that – a pest. Make sure to keep them under wraps.
Be vigilant with your pest control measures and protect your plants from those pesky critters!
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Harvest quickly what can be harvested from your veggie patch
This is one of those truly essential summer gardening tips for veggies. If you’re growing some veggies, and you can see that they have ripened and are ready to pick, don’t stand on ceremony. Take your harvest, get them sorted out, and allow the other veggies that are growing to utilise the nutrients in your soil.
When those fruit and veggies are ready to harvest, don’t stand on ceremony. Get them in quick so you can be the one to enjoy the spoils of war!
Make sure you don’t have some new feathery “friends” swooping around to share in your spoils of homegrown cherry tomatoes or beetroots, as it would be a shame to have put in all that time and effort only to see it go walkabouts or in this case, flying away!
A quick bonus tip for Summer gardening: make sure to slip, slap and slop that sunscreen (even on cloudy days) and don’t forget to keep hydrated, and take breaks whenever you need them.
A veggie patch is a great way to enjoy your garden in Summer. There’s nothing better in life than reaping what you sow.
We hope that these tips help, and we know that this will help you keep your garden in beautiful shape, no matter what the Summer brings! So whether you want to use a lawn and garden maintenance company or go DIY, make sure to stay safe, and enjoy your garden.
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