Time to prune summer-flowering shrubs

Now is the time to prune shrubs that flowered in early summer, like hydrangea, spirea, lilac and buddleia.

Pests & Predators

With warm weather, pests and diseases multiply rapidly, greenfly and blackfly in particular. If you can build up diversity in the garden by growing a variety of plants you can attract beneficial insects and wildlife and a healthy balance will develop between pests and predators.

Time to trim your climbers

Self-clinging climbers (like climbing Hydrangeas and Ivy) are growing fast now. Cut off any loose stems which have come unstuck to stop them tearing off. Or if the plant has taken over and outgrown the space, we can come give the entire plant a haircut.

Don't let your garden dry out, especially when you're away.

Plants which have been planted recently are at risk of drying out in hot weather and during holidays. Soak them generously before you go, then apply a mulch of old compost or bark to help prevent water from evaporating away. Make sure recently laid lawn is regularly watered, especially while you're away, or it can dry out beyond repair.

Divide Autumn Crocus Now

The foliage of Autumn Crocus (colchicums) is dying off now. This is the time to divide them because you can see where they are still and haven't started making next year's roots. Replant as single flowers, and they will soon build up clumps again. They look especially good in rough grass.

Garden Maintenance: Weeds in paving

Clear out weeds in paving with an old knife or sprinkle salt on as an alternative to chemical weed killer.

Now is the time to prune Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a great evergreen perennial for dry shade. To keep it strong and attractive, now is the time to cut out all the flowered stems at the base. But make sure you wear gloves! (Or better yet, have us do it.) Euphorbia is considered highly toxic and the sap can be extremely irritating to skin and especially eyes.

Give your old furniture new life with a jet spray

Garden Maintenance: Jet spraying can give your old furniture new life, in addition to getting rid of bird poop and other mess.

Let us help bring your furniture and garden back to life with a furniture clean and disinfecting. Contact us today.

Garden Maintenance: Bamboo

Put a heavy mulch of rich compost around the base of Bamboo. It will help produce longer, thicker canes. Mulching can be a heavy and stinky job. Give us a call to have us mulch your Bamboo...and entire garden! Your plants will thank you for it! (Mulching is one of the best things you can do to have healthy and thriving garden plants.)

Now is the time to feed and water Clematis

Clematis is one of the most popular vines in the North London gardens we serve. To keep clematis flowering or building up to their late flush, keep them well fed and watered (fed at least fortnightly). Remember to soak the base of the plants near walls, as soil there can be in a rain shadow and the soil can be very dry under walls.

Who's looking after your plants when you're on holiday?

It's summer holiday time! While you may be planning an escape, spare a thought for your plants while you're away. Who will water them? (We can!) If you don't have someone to look after your indoor plants while you're away, they may be able to stand outside in the shade for a week or two. We can water and look after both outdoor and indoor plants while you're away. Contact us for more information.

Tying in roses:

Now that the first flush has died, roses will now start producing new growth. Climbing roses should be tied in, training shoots as near as horizontal as possible. Training mainshoots horizontally causes more sideshoots to develop, producing more flowers. Need help? Contact us today!