Grow The Ultimate Summer Garden

With the longer days finally here and temperatures set to rise again this Summer its great to be able to invest time into the front and back lawns whilst that wonderful scent of freshly cut grass returns to fill the air. Now that Summer is finally here, we have put together a handy checklist to ensure that your lawn looks splendid all summer!

KEEP YOUR GARDEN HYDRATED

While sun and heat are good for your garden, too much can destroy the well-deserved crop. Because of this, you will need to water when needed. The whole idea of watering your garden, is to replicate the soaking action of the rain. Not just a sprinkle, but an honest amount of rain. The water needs to be able to reach the very ends of the roots. Try to water in the early morning to minimize the amount of moisture lost to evaporation.

CAFFEINE BOOST

Coffee grinds are high in nitrogen and make a great addition to the organic matter around any flowers and vegetables. You can either sprinkle the coffee grinds directly onto the soil or add them to your compost bin or pile. If you add them directly to the soil, keep in mind that coffee is also acidic, so you may also want to add something alkaline. This is a great question, because we all throw away a huge volume of used coffee. If we all composted our coffee, it would make a considerable difference!

NIP THE WEEDS IN THE BUD

Weeds not only steal precious nutrients and moisture from the soil, they also
encourage insects and disease around the garden. If you catch them while they’re still young, they’ll prove easier to prune and do minimal damage. What’s more,
nipping weeds in the bud prevents them from sending out too many seeds. Bring a solution of about 1 cup salt in 2 cups water to a boil. Pour directly on the weeds to kill them. Another equally effective method is to spread salt directly onto the weeds or unwanted grass that come up between patio bricks or blocks. Alternatively, you can use a weed killer.

DON'T FORGET TO TRIM YOUR LAWN

You will now probably need to increase the regularity with which you mow your lawn with the weather getting warmer. If the conditions are ideal for growth, you may need to cut twice a week to keep it looking good. Don’t be tempted to cut the lawn too short when it is hot as this can cause damage.

LEAVE YOUR CLIPPINGS WHERE THEY FALL

Many house-proud homeowners like to pick up the bundles of cut grass in order to achieve a tidier garden. Leaving the clippings to lie where they fall can protect the rays of the sun and retain moisture in the grass intself. If you are going away on holiday, cut the lawn normally as close to your leaving date as possible. Use an edging iron to keep the lawn edges neat and tidy.

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

Healthy soil is the basis of healthy plants and a healthy environment. When garden soil is in good shape there is less need for fertilizers or pesticides. Soil can not only improve your plants health, but you can also improve your own. When you dig in the dirt, you’ll be also digging into mycobacterium vaccae, a soil-based organism that animal research has shown to play a positive role in brain health, including lightening mood and anxiety. It may have similar positive effects in humans.