Ensure deep, consistent watering for all plants, especially during hot, dry spells. Early morning or late afternoon watering reduces evaporation and stress on plants.
Top up mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool in the summer heat.
Remove spent flowers from roses, annuals, and perennials to encourage continuous blooming and prevent seed set, keeping the garden looking vibrant.
Apply a summer-friendly fertiliser to flowering shrubs, vegetables, and lawns to maintain strong growth and abundant blooms during the peak growing season.
Inspect plants regularly for aphids, whitefly, red spider mites, and caterpillars. Remove damaged leaves, encourage natural predators, and seek advice if infestations get out of hand.
Water wisely during the heat: Water deeply in the early morning so plants can absorb moisture before the day heats up. Containers and hanging baskets may need watering every day during very hot spells. Water hanging baskets and containers regularly, especially those placed under overhanging roofs and dense tree canopies, where rainfall doesn’t penetrate.
Sow seeds: Seeds to sow now are primulas, poppies, pansies, foxgloves, aquilegias and delphiniums, along with many other cool season plants. These are all important spring garden flowers.
Deadhead summer flowers: Regularly remove faded blooms from annuals and perennials. This encourages plants to produce more flowers instead of setting seed. When a plant doesn’t need to produce seed, it puts its energy into making more flowers instead.
Feed fast-growing plants: January is a month of vigorous growth. Apply a balanced fertiliser to bedding plants, vegetables, and flowering shrubs to keep them performing well.
Lightly prune and tidy plants: Trim back leggy growth and remove damaged or overcrowded stems. This helps plants stay compact and encourages fresh growth.
Keep weeds under control: Warm weather and rain mean weeds grow rapidly. Pull them out while they’re still small before they compete with your plants for water and nutrients.
Mulch: Apply a deep mulch of acid compost to the root zones of camellias, azaleas and hydrangeas.
Harvest vegetables regularly: Pick beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and other summer crops frequently to keep plants productive.
Give roses some attention: Deadhead spent flowers and lightly prune stems to encourage another flush of blooms later in the season.
Aphids and whitefly: These sap-sucking insects are often found on new growth. They weaken plants, cause distorted leaves or flowers, and can spread viruses. Inspect plants regularly and remove infestations early.
Caterpillars: Many caterpillars feed on vegetables and ornamentals, quickly stripping leaves. Check plants frequently and remove by hand, or use approved control methods early to prevent severe damage.
Lawn caterpillars (armyworms): Sudden brown patches appearing in lawns during summer may be caused by these nocturnal feeders. Early detection and treatment can prevent extensive damage to your turf.
Powdery mildew: A fungal disease appearing as a white powdery coating on leaves, commonly on cucurbits, roses, and some ornamentals. Ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce outbreaks.
Red spider mites: Tiny pests that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Leaves may appear speckled or dusty, and heavily infested plants can become stressed or drop leaves. Increasing humidity and encouraging natural predators can help control them.
Rapid weed growth: Warm weather and summer rains encourage weeds to grow quickly. Remove them early before they compete with garden plants for nutrients, water, and light.
Snails and slugs: Warm, damp summer conditions create ideal breeding for these pests. They feed on seedlings, tender leaves, and flowers, often at night, leaving irregular holes. Hand-picking or creating traps helps protect plants.
Thrips: Tiny, slender insects feeding on flowers and leaves, causing silvery streaks, deformed blooms, and weakened growth. Regular inspection and removal of affected parts can reduce damage.
