July jobs in a Suffolk garden

The soil across much of Mid Suffolk moves quickly from damp to bone-hard in a week of easterly wind. If you have heavy clay it will crust; on the sandier patches it will simply crumble. Neither is a problem so long as the plants themselves stay in reasonable heart.

Little and often

This is the month for short, regular visits rather than one big tidy. A quick deadhead of the geraniums, a pass through the roses, a hoe along the border edge — twenty minutes done well, twice a week, will keep a garden looking cared for through the heat.

Watering, honestly

Most established borders in Suffolk do not need watering. Newly planted shrubs, pots and anything in full sun on sand — those do. When you water, water heavily and infrequently. A light sprinkle every evening trains the roots to sit near the surface, which is the last place you want them in August.

What is worth doing this fortnight

• Cut back hardy geraniums that have finished — they will often flower again.
• Feed pots and hanging baskets weekly; the compost is exhausted by now.
• Give hedges a light trim before the young birds have all fledged.
• Mow a little higher — long grass shades its own roots and stays greener.

Ask Fred about this

Not sure how this applies to your garden?

Tell Fred what you’re looking at and he’ll work through it with you — your soil, your aspect, your Suffolk weather.

Ask Fred about this→

I’d far rather you asked than guessed.

Every garden is unique. The notes here are based on my experience working in Suffolk gardens. Your own garden may behave differently depending on its soil, aspect and local conditions.