July Gardening Tip: Beat the Heat in Your Hampshire Garden
July in Hampshire can bring extended dry spells and high temperatures. The gardener’s job this month is largely about preservation — protecting plants from drought stress while keeping the garden looking its best for summer entertaining.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch
If you haven’t already, add a thick layer of bark mulch or garden compost around all your plants. This dramatically reduces water loss from the soil and keeps root temperatures cooler. A 5–10cm layer around trees, shrubs, and borders can halve your watering needs.
Feed Containers Weekly
Pots and containers need weekly liquid feeding in summer as nutrients wash out with frequent watering. A balanced liquid feed or tomato feed keeps flowering plants productive. Don’t let containers dry out completely — once compost dries it repels water and takes much longer to re-wet.
Trim Lavender After Flowering
Once lavender finishes flowering, cut back the stems by about a third — but never cut into old wood. This keeps plants compact and prevents them becoming woody and open in the centre.
Helyers’ July Tip: Artificial grass is ideal for Hampshire homeowners who want a lush-looking lawn without summer watering worries. Ask us about our quality artificial lawn installations.
Talk to Helyers about low-maintenance garden solutions that look great all year round.