Maintaining a lush garden can become a dreaded chore, especially during summer heatwaves. However, an outdoor living expert has shared straightforward methods to simplify some of the most commonly disliked gardening tasks, from eliminating pests to achieving a pristine lawn.
Simon Parry, an expert with Trex Outdoor Living, outlined simple techniques to make summer garden maintenance less arduous. He emphasized that consistent, small efforts can prevent larger, more difficult problems later on. "A quick sweep can prevent stains and mould which can be hard - and costly - to remove," Parry stated. He also noted that regular lawn trimming is essential for healthy grass, and using a quality mower can ease the process.
Pests and weeds are particularly prevalent in warmer summer conditions. Parry's advice includes tackling weeds from their roots and clearing ant mounds as preventative measures.
Weeding Strategies
Parry described weeds as resilient plants that can deplete garden resources and diminish a garden's overall health. To make weeding less physically taxing, he suggested using a kneeling mat. For stubborn weeds, he recommended investing in tools like a strong trowel, fork, or a Hori Hori knife, which can extract plants by their roots, reducing the likelihood of regrowth. "A bad gardening tool will take longer to use and increase your physical strain," he commented. For difficult weeds such as nettles and brambles, removing the entire root system is key. Parry also stressed the importance of wearing garden gloves to prevent injuries from thorns or stings and suggested listening to music or podcasts to make the time pass more quickly.
Managing Ivy and Leaf Rake
Removing overgrown ivy is identified as a particularly challenging garden job due to its tenacious grip and ability to grow roots along its stems. Parry advised wearing heavy-duty gloves and full-coverage clothing to protect against skin rashes and accumulated dust and dirt. While autumn brings the beauty of falling leaves, raking them can become a labor-intensive task. To prevent damage to the lawn over winter, Parry recommends clearing leaves weekly rather than allowing large piles to accumulate. Tools such as a hand blower, a plastic lawn rake, leaf grabbers, and a bulk bag can aid in disposal. Fallen leaves can also be repurposed as compost material.
Pest Control
Ants and slugs are common garden nuisances. Ants create mounds that can lead to uneven surfaces, encourage weed growth, and disrupt plant roots. Slugs can damage young plants by leaving holes in their leaves. Parry suggested a simple solution for ant mounds: sweeping them away with a broom on a dry day. He advised against using slug pellets due to their potential harm to other wildlife. Instead, he recommended planting species less attractive to slugs, such as those with thick or waxy leaves, and disturbing the soil to expose slug eggs to natural predators.
Lawn Maintenance and Watering
Keeping grass healthy in hot weather requires regular mowing with a raised blade height, which encourages growth and helps the grass retain moisture. Parry emphasized that a good quality mower with sharp blades can significantly improve lawn appearance, preventing a frayed and uneven finish. Regarding watering, Parry advised against performing this task during the hottest part of the day to avoid heatstroke and sunburn. Instead, he recommended watering plants and grass during sunrise or sunset. Moving potted plants to shaded areas can also help them survive in extreme heat. He also referenced tips for managing gardens during dry weather and potential hosepipe bans.