July: reclaiming paradise

Despite the easing of lock down restrictions, far more attention is being given to gardens these days. According to The Sunday Times, enquires for landscape gardeners are up by 200%.

Be it a balcony, a terrace, a doorstep or a conventional garden, there is something primal about creating order, beauty, and a sheltered space in our immediate surroundings. It seems to satisfy some deep instinct in us, producing a sense of well-being: yes, despite the madness of the world, there is a place both inside and outside of us that is harmonious, peaceful and somewhere that we might even call “good”.

No wonder there are so many legends, myths, and stories about the garden.

So, as you ponder this not-very-new observation, there are a number of tasks to undertake this month which will hopefully nudge you towards paradise rather A&E with a bad back:

• As the weather becomes drier and hotter, the blades of your lawn mower can be raised. Avoid cutting your lawn too hard as it will not be doing it any favours if a drought sets in.

• Many tall herbaceous plants will be coming into their own now (Delphinium, Echinops, Eupatorium), and if they are not in large clumps, they will probably need staking. I prefer using sticks rather than canes as they are more informal and the side twigs act as a good support system.

Philadelphus and Weigela can be pruned after they have flowered. Likewise, deciduous magnolias can be shaped to create the desired effect.

• Pond weed is likely to start blooming when the water temperature rises. This can be more pronounced if rich soil with high levels of nutrients is leeching nitrogen into the water. A bale of straw will help neutralize this but there is no substitute for carefully raking out pond weed and planting suitable pond plants in extremely poor soil.

• Do not be afraid to experiment by running water from your downpipes into your pond: fix a temporary system that can be adjusted or removed in the winter months. Plastic, flexible, transparent “piping” can be bought from builders’ merchants and fixed using strong tape.

• As above, do not be afraid to experiment with harvesting rainwater for the traditionally dry months of July and August. Plants that have been put in over the past year will need particular attention as they will have been used to the near perfect conditions of a nursery.

If you have the time, stand back and look at the shapes, colours and patterns that are emerging in your garden. Make a note of where these could be improved and worked on in the autumn and winter months to. You may not think you patch is worth trumpeting about, but if it does you good and gives you pleasure – then it is good!