Summer, more than any other time of year, is when you really want to be outside enjoying your garden. Nelson Potter, who supply quality garden furniture to customers across Suffolk, have identified five key jobs to carry out now so that you can relax and soak up the sun, secure in the knowledge that everything in your garden is rosy.
Keep on Top of the Weeding, Pruning and Mowing
You won’t be able to enjoy your garden if grass and plants get too overgrown. Therefore, get into the habit of mowing your lawn once a week. Weeds can either be hoed or for more stubborn deep-rooted ones, removed by hand. Rose bushes should be pruned and deadheaded regularly throughout the summer, and some spring flowering plants should be ready for their first pruning too.
Get Planting Too
If the forecast is good (that is to say, frost-free), colourful summer bedding plants including lobelias, petunias, begonias (pictured above), geraniums and petunias can now all be sown directly into the soil. If you are worried about cold snaps, you can grow them from seedlings in your greenhouse first.
Some tall or floppy plants, mainly perennials in borders, may need staking as well, so they don’t snap or collapse. Species that benefit include delphiniums, peonies and dahlias. If you have a vegetable patch, the same applies to tomatoes. At Nelson Potter we supply machine rounded timber which can be used to support trees and young shrubs.
And if you prefer something at eye level, don’t forget to plant out hanging baskets. Fuchsias, pansies and tobacco plants are all good choices for summer baskets.
Water Wisely
Only water when you need to. This is because overwatering can be as dangerous to some plants as not getting enough. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends watering in the morning, before the sun is at its highest, as this is when plants first start to use water. Watering during the evening may encourage slugs, snails and mildew as the moisture will stay around for longer.
And remember, it’s a scarce resource, so be responsible. If possible, have a water butt installed so you can store rainwater and use it when it’s most needed.
Invest in a Summerhouse…
Now is the time to buy somewhere cool and quiet to enjoy your garden in all its glory. A summerhouse has other uses too – as a storehouse, somewhere to entertain friends and family, enjoy a hobby, or somewhere to go and work in these days of increased working from home.
Hopefully, in June, the weather should be dry enough and not too hot to allow you to complete the task without any interruptions. And if you already have one, it’s a good time to give it a fresh coat of paint or varnish.
At Nelson Potter, we have a range of garden sheds and summerhouses available to our customers across East Anglia. We and can also build one to your exact measurements if you can’t find what you are after.
…and Some New Garden Furniture
Another way to get the most out of your garden is to invest in some new furniture, so that you can relax in the sunshine or shade. For a cost-effective investment, you should consider high-quality timber furniture, such as the benches, tables and sets available at Nelson Potter.
With a little love and affection, they’ll last a long time, and won’t blow away at the first sign of wind, unlike plastic seating. And, if you have a summerhouse or shed, you will also have somewhere to put all your tables and chairs in the winter.
Quality Products from Suffolk Timber Merchants Nelson Potter
All of the garden furniture products and the machine rounded timber can be found in our online shop. If you would like to get in touch with us directly, you can call our yards on either 01394 460199 (Woodbridge) or 01473 311905 (Ipswich), and we will be happy to help with any queries.