This Month in your Garden – July

Water, water, everywhere

By now you will have been doing a fair bit of watering, whether it’s thirsty plants in borders or keeping hanging baskets and container plants happy. Which is why it’s good to collect rainwater from downpipes, shed and greenhouse gutters in case of drought. Usually, grey leaved plants need less water. Pop conservatory plants outside on hot days where you can give them a good spraying, but not in direct sunlight.

Carry on the good work of deadheading flowers you don’t need for seed production, ensuring bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials continue to flower. Achilleas, scabious, gaillardias and geraniums will put on a display as can delphiniums and lupins if you remove the flower spikes.

Lawn Care Guide – July

When in drought

Lawns, indeed all grassed areas, can become compacted during long, hot summer months and brown patches start to appear. They will recover come the autumn but if you want to keep the lawn green you will need to water and using a sprinkler once a week can help.

Before you do it’s wise to spike the lawn first to relieve compaction and allow water to penetrate to the roots. A spiker attachment on the garden tractor or purpose built spiker/aerator will do the job of helping prevent the water sitting on the surface.

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

Q. We have some yellow patches on the lawn with strands of grass that are pink in colouration. What caused this?

The Vegetable Plot – July

Thyme and inclination

The keen vegetable gardener will be harvesting the vegetables of their labours, turnip, tender carrots, beetroot and towards the end of the month you should have runner beans, French and broad beans. Remember to keep the bean family well watered and mulch if it’s hot and dry.

Thyme, sage and rosemary harvested now can be dried or frozen and parsley sown in a sheltered spot for a winter supply.

The Big Glut Recipe – July

Summer sea bass with cucumber and dill salsa

Served on a bed of wild Basmati rice, a light summery dish for two. Wash but don’t peel the cucumber, the goodness is in the skin.

Ingredients

• 2 Sea Bass
• ½ cucumber 
• 35g/1.2oz rocket
• 2 tbsp fresh dill
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• Basmati & wild rice