Mid-Summer Magic
As we step into the heart of summer, we find ourselves in a season of transition. The vibrant blooms of early summer begin to mellow, giving way to the softer hues of late summer. This time of year is a gardener's delight as we prepare our patches for the upcoming autumn while still enjoying the lingering beauty of the season.
July Rituals
Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Mid-summer is a busy time for garden maintenance and care. July provided us with the perfect opportunity to:
Mow Our Lawns – Front lawns and formal gardens need regular mowing, while our wildflower meadows were cut selectively. Areas with orchids are left to seed in preparation for hay baling, which is scheduled for August.
Weed Control – Keep bindweed and willow herbs in check to maintain a tidy garden.
Dead Heading – Remove spent blooms from herbaceous borders and Iris Gardens to encourage new growth and keep your plants looking fresh.
Seasonal Pruning: Trim trees and shrubs like Lime (Tilia x Europaea), London Plane (Platanus x hispanica), Bay, Laurel, and ornamental hedges to shape them for the coming months.
Cut Flowers – Harvest beautiful blooms such as cosmos, antirrhinum, dahlias, sweet peas, and sunflowers for stunning arrangements in your home or for special occasions.
July Table
Fresh From the Garden
July brings a bounty of fresh produce ready for harvesting:
Salads and Veg – Enjoy a fresh array of beetroot, radishes, mustard greens, broad beans, onions, chard, mixed herbs, and micro salads. Edible flowers like nasturtium, borage, and marigold add a colourful and tasty touch to any dish.
Harvesting Potatoes – Now is the time to harvest your early crop of potatoes. Many gardeners grow them in buckets or grow bags to save space, making them a versatile option for gardens of all sizes.
As we revel in the joys of mid-summer, let's celebrate the fruits of our labour and the beauty our gardens bring into our lives. Happy gardening!
