Summer Garden Clean Up And Revamp

Hey again, fellow green thumbs! What's poppin'?

It's officially Summer! You know what that means... time to throw ourselves back into gardening. I mean, with the fabulous weather we've been having, how can you not?

Now's a great time to give the garden a good old spruce- a bit of cleaning, a bit of planting; you'll certainly be leaving your friends and family with some major garden envy.

Check out our guide below on a few things you can do to keep your garden looking top notch this Summer.

Patio Cleaning

Make no mistake; the patio is at the forefront of your outdoor space during the Summer, with people gravitating to this space to relax, barbecue and bask in your selection of stunning flora. So if you really want to take full advantage of this space, now's the time to give it a thorough clean. 

Clear your patios of black spots and algae with either a patio cleaner or soapy water, and remove weeds using a long-handled crack weeder or patio knife, both ideal for reaching weeds located between bricks and paving slabs. Make sure you also use an outdoor broom to sweep the patio; doing so will not only keep your patio looking cleaner but will also reduce potential pests from causing any damage. 

Pots

Keen to add a sea of colour to your patio? Why not plant up some more pots! Choose from roses and agapanthus to fuchsias and verbenas.

There are, of course, a few things to bear in mind when potting up. Always take into account the type of pot you're using, as well as where you want to put it on your patio. Pot varieties can include metal, plastic and terracotta; however, if you opt for any pots that don't allow drainage, then you'll need to drill holes in the base, as well as add vermiculite.

Consider also the size and later growth of the plant you wish to pot up; some plants will require additional space to allow their roots to develop. Use well-draining compost when planting and make sure to water the pot thoroughly. Depending on the plant variety, as well as where it's placed on the patio, you'll need to establish a regular watering schedule, watering as and when needed. Be sure to also keep on top of deadheading flowers and watch out for pests.

Greenhouse Shading

With more direct sunlight hitting the glass, any plants grown inside your greenhouse will be more prone to leaf scorching and disease. Add shade to your greenhouse to combat these issues.

Secure plastic weave to the inside of the unit, fixing it in place with clips. You can also cover the roof with plastic weave or even hessian fabric, using clips to secure that in place also. Ensure the material is long enough so that it reaches the floor. Weigh down the edges with stones or bricks.

As a general rule of thumb, you should stick to a regular watering schedule and keep the greenhouse's door and windows open to encourage ventilation. You can also leave a bucket full of water inside to improve the humidity levels.

Summer Perennials

As well as decorating your patio with fresh flower pots, why not flood your outdoor space with even more brilliant colour? You can start by adding dazzling perennials, like rudbeckias, black-eyed Susans and geraniums.

Of course, choosing the right perennial all depends on the conditions of your garden. It's important to identify the soil variety and how moisture retentive it is. You also need to inspect how much shade your garden gets and if it's likely to be affected by wind.

When planting your perennials, you'll need to make sure the soil is clear of weeds and large stones, as well as mixed in with well-rotted organic matter. After that, you'll need to prepare a hole that is a little bigger than the roots of your plant and place it in the ground with the root ball's top revealed at soil level. Firm it then with soil and water thoroughly. During early Summer, it is recommended you attach any tall-growing perennials to canes.

And there you have it folks. Should you have any more queries regarding how to manage your outdoor space this Summer then drop by Langton Greenhouse and Garden Centre. We'll be more than happy to help! 

Until next time!