Things to do this month
- Open greenhouse doors and vents on hot days.
- Water plants regularly during dry periods, watering in the mornings or evenings to reduce water loss through evaporation.
- Water rhododendrons and camellias regularly in dry spells, as they are developing the buds for next year’s flowers now.
- Keep ponds clear of weeds and topped up.
- Keep feeding wild birds with suitable bird food as they rely on us for food all year.
- Wild birds may be short of natural water supplies, so keep bird baths topped up.
- Add waterlilies and floating aquatic plants to help provide shade and keep water cooler.
- Only give your fish enough food that they can finish within a few minutes and remove any uneaten food.
- Prune wisteria, cutting back the long whippy shoots to about 5 leaves from the main branches.
- Deadhead repeat-flowering roses to keep the flowers coming.
- Treat paths and drives with a path weedkiller to kill existing weeds and prevent new ones appearing.
- If you are going away on holiday for a short period, water your houseplants well before you go and move them into a cool location away from bright sunlight to stop them drying out.