With other priorities during the summer, your garden may start to fade. Here are our top 5 tips to help you take back your garden:

1. Splurge on Garden Tools

Tools for pruning and irrigation are among the most important purchases for your garden. The right tools, such as sharp pruning shears, a sturdy hose, sprinklers and a comfortable hand cultivator will help you care for your plants easily and efficiently.

2. WATER WATER WATER

Summer weather is usually hot and plants will only thrive if they get proper  water necessary to sustain them,  We recommend plants get at least an inch of water each week.  Water in the morning, so water evaporates over the course of the day.  Water at the base of the plants and keep it off leaves to help prevent disease. Learn more about watering at Proper Watering is the Key to Successful Gardening.

3. Mow, Edge and Deadhead, but Save pruning for the Spring

Keep everything neat and tidy by regularly edging and mowing. Don’t cut more than one third of the grass blade at a time and keep grass at least three inches tall.

To refresh your garden and get ready for the fall, get rid of old spent blooms from your perennials, trees and shrubs. You can also prune off some of the dead stalks and branches.  Don’t over prune plants right now; never cut off more than one-third of the plant at any one time.

4. Fertilize close to the base.

Plants need fertilizer like we need vitamins.  A quick review on fertilizer – the three numbers listed on the package:

– The first number is Nitrogen, which helps keep plants green and healthy looking.

– The second number is Phosphorus, which promotes growth and a healthier root system, while also aiding in flower blooming and fruit production.

– The third number is Potassium or Potash, which can be compared to Vitamin C for us. Potassium or Potash helps plants stay healthy and disease-free. However, just like Vitamin C, it does not prevent or cure diseases.

Plants soak up the nutrients from their roots, so always distribute the fertilizer close to the base of the plant.

5. Disease Control for Next Year

Continue to watch for insects or fungus in your lawn or gardens, and treat as they arise.

Many products can be applied now so the problem is prevented in the future.

For grubs, use Bayer Complete, GrubEX, Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control, and Sevin Insecticide. (Do NOT spray on vegetables or fruits)

For lawn fungus, Scott’s Lawn Fungus Control will control your basic lawn fungus, such as brown patches or dollar spots. Bayer Advanced also has lawn fungus control.

Japanese beetles are very rampant this year and will lay eggs that will damage your lawn. Rescue Rod Trap Stand is good way to trap those Japanese beetles. The stand works by attracting them to the stand with their mating and feeding pheromones.   Bugs fall into the bag and die. 

If you need help diagnosing the disease, just bring in a fresh sample of the problem into one of our stores and one of our experts will diagnose your gardening ailment and write a “Plantscription” for its care.

All of the above tips came from English Gardens’ free seminar: Caring for your Summer Garden. To learn more and attend one of our upcoming free seminars, check out the schedule at www.EnglishGardens.com/events