‘Essential’ task ‘gardeners’ need to do ‘regularly’ for ‘healthy plant growth’

When the sun is shining, pottering around the garden really is one of life’s simplest pleasures.  While the weather’s warm and dry, there are several  gardening jobs to do to keep a garden looking its best. From giving plants the right amount of water to tackling pests and diseases, William Mitchell, the owner of  Sutton Manor Nursery , has provided some top tips on how to tend to plants and gardens in summer. 1. Pace watering  Providing a garden with excess water following a period of drought may seem like the best thing to do, but it can actually be ‘dangerous for your plants’.  Gardeners should instead gradually reintroduce watering to their gardens as this is the safest method. Start with deep and thorough watering, allowing the soil to absorb the moisture.  Giving excess water to gardens following a period of drought is dangerous for plants (Image: Getty) William urged: ‘Avoiding excessive watering at once is important as the soil may not be able to handle it after a prolonged dry period.’ 2. Pruning  By pruning in summer, gardeners can reap the rewards of better displays from ornamental plants. It’ll also encourage bigger crops from fruit trees and bushes.  The gardening guru said: ‘Pruning is an essential job that every gardener has to do on a regular basis, but its importance is heightened following a drought.  ‘Although it’s essential to avoid heavy pruning until the plants have fully recovered, by trimming away any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs and dead growth on plants, you are encouraging new, healthy growth.’ When to prune your plants (Image: EXPRESS) It is almost inevitable that soil will become compacted during hot weather in summer, especially if a hosepipe ban has been put in place.  Consequently, it is highly advisable that gardeners loosen up the soil by using a garden fork or aerator to allow the air and water to penetrate the earth.  William suggested that adding organic materials such as compost or manure can help to improve the condition of the soil as it slowly restores the nutritional content.  4. Mulching  Another ‘simple and natural way’ of caring for a garden following hot weather in summer is to start mulching. This process requires gardeners to apply a layer of organic mulch (e.g. wood chips, straw, or shredded leaves) around plants.  Mulching will help soil retain its moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate the temperature (Image: Getty) The expert explained: ‘This will help your soil retain its moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate the temperature of your soil, helping your garden get back to full health as quickly as possible.’ 5. Pest and disease control Trying to keep plants alive throughout a dry spell is a big enough task in itself, but drought-stressed plants are also more susceptible to pests and diseases.  William recommends keeping an eye out for any signs of infestations or illnesses, such as wilting and discolouration – this is key before taking appropriate measures to control them.  Watering the plants, ensuring the soil has enough nutrients, and making sure enough sunlight is reaching the plants are the typical ways to solve such issues.