Don’t start watering a newly sown lawn unless there is likely to be a drought.
Once you start to water you have to do it on a regular basis or the new young plants of grass will suffer
Start using lettuce when they are half grown. If you wait until they are fully grown some will bolt producing flower heads before you can use them all
Feed tomato plants every time you water using a high potash liquid feed
Never let crops in growing bags go short of water. Standing the bags on gravel trays or on reservoirs with wicks through the base can prevent drying out
Plants growing at the base of walls tend to need more watering
Remove the tips of yucca leaves if the plant is growing where children are likely to play. They are extremely sharp and could catch a child’s eye
Clematis may be propagated now by layering a low shoot. Peg it into the ground and cover with compost. Hold it firmly in place with a large stone. The stem will be well rooted and ready for transplanting next spring
Top up ponds and water features if necessary – a spray attachment on the hose will aerate the water and help the fish
Tidy up fallen leaves, flowers and compost – this will prevent potential pest and disease problems
Use a forceful jet from a garden hose to knock aphids off water lilies and other garden plants
Make piles of logs, twigs and /or rocks to create shelter for wildlife
Go bat-watching on a summer evening!
