Eight Tips To Get Your Garden Ready For Summer
The long-awaited onset of warmer weather has finally arrived, but it’s also a sign that your garden needs a little TLC to help it stay in peak condition in the heat.
If you spring into action before the temperatures really start rising, you’ll be giving your trees, lawn and plants the best chance of staying healthy and looking fantastic through the hot and often dry conditions.
Here are eight top tips to get your garden ready for summer and looking its beautiful best for outdoor living.
1. Prune your plants
Most shrubs and hedges respond well to a light pruning at the start of the growing season. This will ensure that the plants are the right shape and size and will encourage healthy new growth. Trees also respond well to pruning - but it is always best to leave that job to a professional arborist. Remember, if you prune in the heat of summer, you risk scorching the exposed tips and damaging the plants so it’s best to get in early.
2. Weeding
It’s a very dull job, but weeding is a must. Weeds grow like, well weeds, during spring and summer and if you leave them for too long, they’ll go to seed and spread like wildfire.
3. Fertilise
Proper nutrition is really important for your garden. You should enrich the soil with fertiliser and macronutrients (which can either be in liquid or granular form) to give your plants the best chance of blooming and growing properly. There are specialised products which have the correct balance of nutrients appropriate for different varieties of plants and trees, eg citrus, roses and acid-loving plants like azaleas and camellias. There are also great options for general slow-release fertilisers which release nutrients gradually as well as seaweed-based plant foods which encourage robust growth.
4. Add a wetting agent
Australian summers can really sizzle, so it’s a good idea to add a wetting agent to your beds, pots and lawn. Many soils are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, so the addition of a wetting agent which attracts water to the soil’s surface and helps soak it in, is a must.
5. Much more mulch
Laying down a layer of mulch is another must for summer. This helps to retain moisture in the soil and prevents plants from drying out. There are a number of different kinds of mulch including lupin mulch, shredded bark and wood chips and the layer should be around 7.5cm thick. Always fertilise and add your wetting agent BEFORE mulching and keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree and the stem of the plant. Mulching makes your garden look neat and tidy too, and is also a good way of suppressing weeds.
6. Be waterwise
During summer, it’s best to water your garden early in the morning when the temperatures are still fairly cool. This will give the water the best chance of penetrating the soil without the risk of evaporation.
7. Raise your mower blades
Keeping your lawn a little longer in summer will keep it looking green and lush. The turf will wear better and is less likely to be scorched by the hot sun. It’s also a good idea to maintain a regular routine of adding fertiliser, food and wetting agents to your lawn to keep it in pristine condition for outdoor entertaining and enjoyment.
8. Assess your shade options
Shade is a necessity in the hot months and spring is a good time to evaluate if you need some extra protection against the heat. Do you have a spot for a new tree, outdoor umbrella or pergola? Trees make our gardens cooler and more waterwise, plus they add a beautiful aesthetic to any garden.
If you are considering planting a new specimen or want advice on how best to prune or shape an existing tree to maximise its looks and its health, it’s a good idea to talk to your local arborist in Perth.
The onset of warmer weather is the signal to your garden that it’s showtime. By giving your plants, lawn and trees a helping hand, you’ll be giving them the best chance of healthy growth and looking their best throughout the summer season.
If you spring into action before the temperatures really start rising, you’ll be giving your trees, lawn and plants the best chance of staying healthy and looking fantastic through the hot and often dry conditions.
Here are eight top tips to get your garden ready for summer and looking its beautiful best for outdoor living.
1. Prune your plants
Most shrubs and hedges respond well to a light pruning at the start of the growing season. This will ensure that the plants are the right shape and size and will encourage healthy new growth. Trees also respond well to pruning - but it is always best to leave that job to a professional arborist. Remember, if you prune in the heat of summer, you risk scorching the exposed tips and damaging the plants so it’s best to get in early.
2. Weeding
It’s a very dull job, but weeding is a must. Weeds grow like, well weeds, during spring and summer and if you leave them for too long, they’ll go to seed and spread like wildfire.
3. Fertilise
Proper nutrition is really important for your garden. You should enrich the soil with fertiliser and macronutrients (which can either be in liquid or granular form) to give your plants the best chance of blooming and growing properly. There are specialised products which have the correct balance of nutrients appropriate for different varieties of plants and trees, eg citrus, roses and acid-loving plants like azaleas and camellias. There are also great options for general slow-release fertilisers which release nutrients gradually as well as seaweed-based plant foods which encourage robust growth.
4. Add a wetting agent
Australian summers can really sizzle, so it’s a good idea to add a wetting agent to your beds, pots and lawn. Many soils are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, so the addition of a wetting agent which attracts water to the soil’s surface and helps soak it in, is a must.
5. Much more mulch
Laying down a layer of mulch is another must for summer. This helps to retain moisture in the soil and prevents plants from drying out. There are a number of different kinds of mulch including lupin mulch, shredded bark and wood chips and the layer should be around 7.5cm thick. Always fertilise and add your wetting agent BEFORE mulching and keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree and the stem of the plant. Mulching makes your garden look neat and tidy too, and is also a good way of suppressing weeds.
6. Be waterwise
During summer, it’s best to water your garden early in the morning when the temperatures are still fairly cool. This will give the water the best chance of penetrating the soil without the risk of evaporation.
7. Raise your mower blades
Keeping your lawn a little longer in summer will keep it looking green and lush. The turf will wear better and is less likely to be scorched by the hot sun. It’s also a good idea to maintain a regular routine of adding fertiliser, food and wetting agents to your lawn to keep it in pristine condition for outdoor entertaining and enjoyment.
8. Assess your shade options
Shade is a necessity in the hot months and spring is a good time to evaluate if you need some extra protection against the heat. Do you have a spot for a new tree, outdoor umbrella or pergola? Trees make our gardens cooler and more waterwise, plus they add a beautiful aesthetic to any garden.
If you are considering planting a new specimen or want advice on how best to prune or shape an existing tree to maximise its looks and its health, it’s a good idea to talk to your local arborist in Perth.
The onset of warmer weather is the signal to your garden that it’s showtime. By giving your plants, lawn and trees a helping hand, you’ll be giving them the best chance of healthy growth and looking their best throughout the summer season.
