After weeks of hot, sunny weather and barely a drop of rain, many UK gardens are starting to look worn. Lawns have turned patchy, borders look faded and once-perky pots are drooping in the heat.
But there are a few things you can do to give your garden a new lease of life – and fast.
Ahead are a few simple weekend jobs that can help restore colour and vitality, and get your garden looking refreshed by Sunday evening.
1. Deadhead faded flowers for a quick tidy-up
Removing faded blooms can help keep your garden looking tidy. “Regular deadheading can prolong flowering well into autumn while keeping borders, containers and hanging baskets looking neat and vibrant,” says Victoria Parkinson, garden expert at Arctic Cabins.
Keep on top of plants such as roses, dahlias and cosmos, removing spent flower heads by cutting back to a healthy leaf or bud where appropriate. According to the RHS, deadheading can encourage further blooms by stopping some plants from directing their energy into seed production.
While you’re there, clear away fallen leaves and damaged foliage to give borders and containers a neater finish. Not every seed head should be removed, however. The RHS advises leaving those that provide decorative winter interest or food for wildlife. Sunflower heads, for example, can be left in place for seed-eating birds.
What to Read Next
2. Give struggling containers a refresh
Pots are often among the first parts of the garden to show signs of heat stress, as container plants have a limited amount of compost and can dry out faster than those growing in the ground.
Remove dead foliage and faded flowers, check drainage holes are clear and water thoroughly when the compost feels dry below the surface. During hot spells, the RHS suggests moving containers into shade and grouping pots together to reduce water loss.
If you're replacing plants that haven't survived the summer, wait until temperatures cool. Expert gardener Claire Smith advises: "Start planting autumn flowers when the weather breaks, never in the heatwave or dry spell." She also recommends choosing plants that thrive in well-drained soil to help them establish before winter.
3. Accept a brown lawn
A brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. The RHS says established grass can turn brown or die back during drought, but will usually produce fresh growth once rainfall returns.
Avoid wasting water on established lawns. If you do water, do it deeply rather than little and often, as Josh Novell, Director at Polhill Garden Centre, explains: "People often water too frequently and too shallowly. This creates surface-level roots that can't handle dry conditions."
Instead, focus your efforts on plants that need help most, including newly planted trees and shrubs, fruit and vegetables, containers and anything showing signs of drought stress.
4. Swap tired flowers with late-summer colour
Not every plant will bounce back after a long spell of heat. Some summer annuals naturally start to struggle by late summer, becoming leggy, developing brown foliage or producing fewer flowers. But don’t give up on them too soon. “The same goes for most annuals and perennials, which keep producing if you stay on top of them,” says Phil Nicholls. Remove faded blooms and tired growth to encourage plants to put their energy into producing fresh flowers rather than seeds.
Late-summer favourites such as dahlias and salvias can often keep flowering well into autumn with regular deadheading. Dahlias, in particular, benefit from having spent flowers removed, while herbaceous salvias can be lightly trimmed after their first flush to encourage another wave of blooms.
5. Refresh soil with a layer of mulch
“Mulching is key for keeping soil temperatures moderated and moist, which helps keep the soil life active,” says Briana Selstad Bosch, owner of Blossom and Branch Farm and author of The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook.
The RHS recommends organic materials such as garden compost, bark chips, leaf mould and well-rotted manure. These can help conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve the appearance of bare soil.
Water the ground thoroughly before applying mulch (most likely with a watering can with the current hosepipe ban in many areas), or wait until after substantial rain if the soil is very dry. Spread the material over moist soil and leave a clear gap around plant crowns and woody stems to reduce the risk of rot.
It’s a quick win that tidies borders and helps the soil conserve moisture during dry spells.
Gardening tools
