Gardening Tips For Summer: Preparing Your Outdoor Space for Summer
As summer arrives, your garden transforms into a vibrant space filled with colour, scent and life. But rising temperatures, longer days, and less rain also bring new challenges. Whether you’re growing vegetables, maintaining a lush lawn, or enjoying evenings on the patio, now is the time to get your garden into its best shape. Here are our top gardening tips for preparing your outdoor space for summer.
Water Wisely to Keep Your Garden Thriving
Consistent and efficient watering is essential for keeping your garden healthy through the hotter months.
- Water early in the morning or just before sunset to reduce evaporation.
- Focus on the roots, not the leaves—watering at soil level ensures better absorption.
- Use mulch around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- If you’re going away, consider a drip irrigation system or ask a neighbour to help.
For more advice, the Royal Horticultural Society offers detailed watering guidance for summer gardens.
Keep Your Lawn Green and Healthy
Summer can take its toll on your lawn, especially during dry spells, so it’s important to give it some extra attention.
- Mow regularly but keep grass slightly longer—around 3 inches helps retain moisture.
- Treat mossy or bare patches early in the season and reseed if needed.
- Avoid mowing in extreme heat, and keep mower blades sharp to reduce stress on the grass.
- If you skipped “No Mow May”, consider leaving a patch wild for pollinators.
Need tailored lawn care advice? Visit our page on garden maintenance to learn how we can help.
Caring for Pots, Planters and Decking
Your containers and decking need just as much care as your borders in summer.
- Container plants dry out faster. Check them daily and water generously in the evening.
- Move heat-sensitive pots into partial shade or group them to conserve moisture.
- Inspect decking for wear or weather damage and apply sealant where needed.
- Use saucers or self-watering planters to keep container watering low-maintenance.
If you’re planning garden improvements, explore our ideas for a low-maintenance garden design.
Protect Plants from Heat Stress
High summer temperatures can cause stress to plants, even in the UK.
- Add temporary shade with sail cloths, garden umbrellas or movable screens.
- Choose drought-tolerant or native species that can cope with warmer spells.
- Mulch flower beds with bark or compost to lock in moisture and reduce evaporation.
- Avoid planting new flowers in peak heat—save those tasks for cooler mornings or evenings.
Need inspiration? The Better Homes & Gardens extreme heat gardening guide offers fantastic, practical advice.
Adopt the ‘Slow Gardening’ Approach
Summer isn’t just about hard work—it’s about enjoying your garden, too. The slow gardening movement encourages a more mindful, low-impact approach.
- Focus on sustainability by using fewer chemicals and recycling green waste.
- Embrace imperfections—wild corners attract pollinators and wildlife.
- Use a garden journal to track what’s growing and plan future improvements.
- Take time to enjoy your space, whether it’s harvesting herbs or dining outdoors.
For more on this approach, see Gardening Know How’s slow gardening guide.
Let Us Help You Get Summer-Ready
At Town & Country Gardens, we’re here to make sure your outdoor space thrives through the hottest months of the year. Whether it’s summer lawn care, container maintenance or a complete garden refresh, our experienced team is ready to help.
Contact us today and let’s start preparing your outdoor space for summer, so you can spend less time working and more time enjoying it.
