July 17th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

With warmer weather and longer days, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the garden, however, if your garden is lacking some vibrancy or the natural beauty of plants and flowers since you may have not had the opportunity to get your garden ready in the spring – then worry not as it is never to later to start a summer garden! While spring may widely be considered the ideal time to start your garden you can still successfully start a garden in the summer. In this blog, we will look at some tips to get started.

Getting Started

Before beginning take some time to think about what you would like to achieve with your garden, don’t plant for the sake of planting if you have something you really want to grow in your garden but it is out of season then it is better just to wait – however if you are open to considering many different plants and you just want to create a more natural feeling garden, then there are plenty of options you can consider but it is important to ensure you choose the right plants. Look for plants that are suitable for late planting and have a shorter growing season.

Flowers

There are many plants that thrive in summer, even as late as July such as Foxglove, Forget-me-nots or pansies. Not only will they do well in the summer but they also add a vibrant and beautiful splash of colour to your garden, that will lighten up even the gloomier summer days.

Vegetables

If you have always wanted to start your own vegetable garden but never had the chance, then not to worry there are plenty of vegetables that you can begin growing in summer. These vegetables include favourites such as Carrots, turnips, parsnips, winter cabbage and lettuce can all be planted in July – so don’t hesitate thinking you have left it too long there are plenty of delicious veggies you can plant before the weather begins to turn.

Herbs

Hers are another great option for summer planting, much like vegetables, they are wonderful because not only will they make your garden feel more alive but you can also use the fruits of your labour to make delicious meals! Herbs will also help your garden be more fragrant too, so you can enjoy their refreshing aroma while relaxing in your garden. Some Herbs that can be planted in summer include Basil, Thyme, Chives, Mint and Lemongrass.

If you still do not feel confident with choosing the right kind of flowers, herbs or vegetables to grow this summer it is recommended to speak to a specialist at the local nursery or garden centre – they should be able to provide plenty of assistance and information about the planting to help you ease into the process and if you are a complete beginner they will be able to recommend some plants that are more low maintenance until you become familiar with gardening as a whole.

Care for Your Summer Garden

It is important that you provide proper care for your plants during summer, this is because if the temperatures soar they become susceptible to drought which can affect their growth or even kill the plant completely. Spring is largely considered the best time to plant due to the balance of sunshine and rain that will help provide plants with the vital nutrients they need in order to grow.

So be sure to provide your new plants with plenty of water plant them where they can get a good balance of sunshine and shade and use fertiliser or plant feeds to provide them with the additional nutrients they require to grow strong and protect them against disease, pests and drought. It is recommended to use slow-release fertilisers and lawn feed during summer as this can help to protect against fertiliser burn and will provide long-lasting nutrients while your new plants establish their roots.  Different plants have different needs so when purchasing your plants ask what kind of products are most suitable.

Protect Against Pests and Diseases

Summer is a high-risk period for both pests and diseases that can have devastating effects on your garden and plants. So, it is very important to stay vigilant and keep a close eye on your plants and act quickly in order to keep any issues under control. Pesticides should be the absolute last resort as while these will help to get rid of the less desirable pests they can also be very damaging to the more desirable insects such as Bees that will actually help your garden to thrive.

You should also pay close attention to the colouring and growth of your flowers as these will reveal any issues or deficiencies in your plant’s nutrients and will help you to better treat it. Keep an eye out for signs of drought, over-watering, limp leaves or discolouration can also be a sign that they lack some vital nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphorous.

Prepare for Colder Weather

Once you have successfully planted your new garden and is on its way to becoming well-established and thriving, it is also a great time to do some research into what you will need for your plants as the weather begins to change since your plant’s needs will largely change over the seasons – after all a garden is a year-round investment.

So, is it too late to start a garden? The answer is no! You can still plant in the summer and have beautiful flowers and vegetables that will keep you busy all year long. If you're not sure where to begin, just remember gardening is a learning process, and even if your garden doesn’t thrive or grow quite as you want this summer, don’t give up as you have gained valuable experience and information that will help you have a more successful growing season the following year. Most importantly don’t forget to have fun and experiment with your garden.