In The Flower Garden This July

July is one of the busiest months in a flower garden. The focus is on keeping plants blooming, managing heat and dry spells, and preparing for flowers later in the season.

✂️ Deadhead regularly

Remove spent flowers from plants such as:

• Roses
• Cosmos
• Sweet Peas
• Dahlias

This encourages more blooms and prevents plants from putting energy into seed production.

💧Water deeply, not little and often

During warm weather:

• Water early in the morning or late evening.
• Give borders a thorough soak rather than frequent light sprinkling.
• Prioritize containers and hanging baskets, which can dry out very quickly.

🍅 Feed flowering plants

Many summer-flowering plants benefit from a high-potash feed every week or two.
Particularly useful for:

• Dahlias
• Petunias
• Fuchsias
• Roses

🎋 Support tall plants before they flop

Check stakes and supports for:

• Delphiniums
• Dahlias
• Gladioli

Summer rain and wind can quickly flatten unsupported stems.

🌱 Keep on top of weeds

A quick hoeing session every few days is easier than tackling large weeds later. Weeds compete with flowers for moisture and nutrients, especially during dry weather.

🌻Sow flowers for late summer and next year

You can still sow:

• Calendula
• Cornflowers
• Forget-me-nots (for next spring)
• Wallflowers (for next spring)

🌿 Take cuttings

July is excellent for softwood and semi-ripe cuttings from:

• Lavender
• Penstemons
• Fuchsias
• Pelargoniums

It’s a cost-effective way to produce more plants.

🐌 Watch for pests and diseases

Inspect plants weekly for:

• Aphids
• Slugs and snails
• Powdery mildew
• Black spot on Roses

Catching problems early is usually much easier than dealing with a major outbreak.

🍂 Mulch if the soil is dry

A layer of compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure helps:

• Retain moisture
• Suppress weeds
• Improve soil structure

💐 Pick flowers often

For cut-and-come-again plants such as Cosmos, Sweet Peas, and Zinnias, frequent picking actually encourages more blooms.

🌸 Norfolk-specific note

In Norfolk, July can bring both dry periods and strong coastal winds. Keep containers well watered, check supports after windy weather, and consider a mulch around thirsty plants to conserve moisture. If you’re growing on light sandy soil, watering and mulching become especially important.