July in the Garden: Alex's Jobs, New Arrivals & the Rose in Full Bloom
July is here, and if you've been waiting for the garden to really come alive - this is the month. The sun is up, the borders are bursting, and there's a satisfying amount to do. We've got Alex's essential jobs to keep you on track, a stunning new arrival for your home, and a plant of the month that needs absolutely no introduction.
Alex's Gardening Jobs for July
According to Alex, July is the busiest gardening month of the year - and once you're out there, it's easy to see why. Here's what he recommends getting done this month.
- Give summer bedding a liquid feed and deadhead regularly to keep displays looking their best through the summer.
- Top up bird baths during hot, dry spells - wildlife needs water just as much as your plants do.
- Feed your lawn to encourage lush, healthy growth. A little effort now goes a long way by August.
- Water anything newly planted every day. Young roots need consistent moisture while they find their feet in the soil.
- Keep an eye out for vine weevil, lily beetle, and slugs and snails - get ahead of them before they get a head start on you.
- Remove blanket weed from ponds, and leave the pile beside the water for a day or two so any wildlife can make its way back.
- Sow fast-growing salad leaves for a quick summer harvest - they'll be on your plate before you know it.
- Water tomatoes daily. Inconsistent watering is one of the main causes of blossom end rot, so don't let them dry out between sessions.
- Support tall and delicate plants now, before summer storms catch you out.
- Cover brassicas with insect mesh to prevent cabbage white butterflies laying eggs on the leaves.
Alex's Top Tip for July
"Deadheading is the one job most people skip - but it genuinely transforms how long your bedding plants perform. Ten minutes every few days makes a huge difference by the end of the month."
New In: Calathea
If you've been looking for something a little special to bring indoors this summer, the Calathea has just arrived in the plant hall - and it's worth stopping for.
Commonly known as prayer plants, Calatheas move their leaves throughout the day to follow the light -- a quiet, mesmerising thing to watch. Their beautifully patterned foliage is unlike almost anything else on a shelf, and they bring an instant tropical feel to a room without requiring much space at all.
They're pet friendly and air purifying too, which makes them a brilliant choice for family homes.
A word of warning though: Calatheas do like things done their way. Here's what they need to thrive.
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and always let excess water drain away after watering to protect the roots. Where possible, use filtered water or rainwater - they're particular about that.
Light: Bright indirect light is ideal. They can cope with a little shade, but keep them well away from full sun, which will scorch the leaves.
Humidity: Calatheas love humidity, so a bathroom or kitchen suits them beautifully. If the leaf edges start to turn brown, the air is likely too dry - try misting regularly or sitting the pot on a tray of pebbles topped with water.
Temperature: Keep them away from draughts and cold rooms. They're tropical at heart.
Height: In the right spot, Calatheas grow quickly and can reach around one to two feet -- a real presence on a windowsill or shelf.
A brilliant companion for your Calathea - and every houseplant this summer:
We've also just brought in Wonder Gel, a slow-release 3-in-1 houseplant gel that waters, nourishes and protects your plants over seven to ten days. It's especially good if you're heading away on holiday and want peace of mind that your plants are looked after.
Enriched with minerals, it encourages healthy, vibrant growth -- and because there's no standing water, there's no risk of insects laying eggs in the soil either.
RRP £7.49 this month only, £3.99.
Plant of the Month: Roses
There are few plants that give quite as much as a rose. Flowering from early summer right through to autumn, they bring colour, scent, and nectar for pollinators, and they fit beautifully into almost any garden style - cottage, contemporary, or wildlife-friendly.
Grow them in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, feed regularly through the growing season, and they'll reward you with months of stunning blooms. Whether trained over an arch, planted in a border, or grown in a container, roses are one of those plants that genuinely earn their place.
Our recommendations this month:
David Austin Rose - 'Harlow Carr'
A beautiful English shrub rose with perfectly formed rich pink blooms and an exceptional old rose fragrance. Repeat flowering, healthy and compact, it's ideal for borders and cottage gardens -- and especially lovely planted near a path where its scent can stop you in your tracks.
Whartons Rose - 'Peace'
One of the world's most celebrated roses, bearing large creamy-yellow blooms flushed with soft pink. Lightly scented and exceptionally beautiful, it makes a stunning focal point in any sunny border.
Top Tip: Deadhead regularly and feed with a specialist rose fertiliser in spring and summer to encourage healthy growth and continuous flowering through the season.
Come and find us in Ilkley - we'd love to help you make the most of your July garden.
