So August is upon us, we hope you have had plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy your garden. Hopefully things are looking good, but there are always plenty of jobs that can be done to keep your garden looking great. Keeping your lawn green and in good shape is one of the tasks so here’s some simple tips for keeping your lawn healthy:

• To achieve a fine finish to your lawn then mow at least once every 2 weeks, removing any weeds.

• If you have any holes caused by wear and tear, fill with a gritty compost and top by raking in grass seed and ensure it is watered regularly.

• The same applies to pesky brown spots caused by your dog on the grass. Dog urine is rich in nitrogen and when concentrated amounts collect over time it can kill the grass. Regular watering can also help to dilute concentrated areas to prevent brown patches.

• Ideally grass seed is best sown from late summer to mid-autumn when the environment is perfect for seeds to germinate. There are less weeds to compete with and the soil is warm and damp. New grass needs plenty of water so in dry periods (which we haven’t had too many of this summer) water for ten minutes in the morning and evening to ensure that the top couple of inches of soil are moist. You can do this less often once you see signs of your new grass growing.

• During longer dry and hot periods, if they arrive, the grass should ideally be kept slightly longer. Longer grass traps more moisture within the soil. You can adjust the setting on your lawnmower blades to manage this.

• If you’ve been away on holiday and your lawn is out of shape and more unruly than usual, try cutting in stages to avoid stress to the grass. Try a long cut to start with to take off about 1/2” of growth and give another light cut about a week later before continuing to cut at your ideal height.

• Remember we are available for any of your lawn care needs, contact us now for a no obligation free quote.

Everyone enjoys a summer holiday, including your indoor plants, so give them a treat and take them outside while the temperatures are suitable. Not only do they get a chance to bask in the sun, but they can also fill gaps in your garden to enhance your blooms. Make sure you give them plenty of chance to adjust so select a shaded area for their first venture, slowly moving them to full sun over a number of days. Keep your eye on them to make sure they can cope with the changing temperatures and adjust conditions when needed.

Equally, make sure you give any hanging pots and baskets some attention by watering at least once daily to make sure the compost doesn’t dry out and is moist throughout.

Compost can dry out easily in smaller terracotta pots and water can run straight off. Where possible, treat them to a bath (this can be any container where they can sit) and let them soak up water for a while. Even in rainy periods compost can dry out due to shading and foliage preventing water to enter the areas needed.

Whilst tomatoes and peppers will be thriving at this time of year, some of your annual blooms have been and gone you may be looking to spruce up your flower beds. Hardy annuals such as calendula (or marigold) can be sown now to achieve early blooms next spring or summer. Perennial seeds can also be sown now, such as peonies which will bloom next spring or chrysanthemums which when grown will typically bloom in September to add some late colour to your garden. Try to select a combination of early spring, summer and autumn flowers to add variety to your beds and keep them in rotating bloom for longer periods. Wild flowers, such as field corn flower, are growing in popularity and can be sown now in the areas they are required. Support tall perennials, such as lilies, with bamboo canes where required to prevent rain and wind damage. Remember that deadheading roses and other flowers should still be done regularly at this time of year too.

Tackling jobs in your own garden can be quite enjoyable as you see the benefits but this is not the case for all. The combination of high temperatures and plenty of rainfall may be great for most gardens but can be problematic if you are a commercial business. Keeping on top of outdoor spaces can prove difficult as lawns can quickly become out of hand and unmanageable and public spaces that where once inviting, attractive and appealing can appear anything but that. Contact us to discuss any of your commercial needs and see how we can help you

Potted plants can help to make an impressive and manageable display. This not only draws attention to where you want it, it also creates an eye catching welcome. If you are landlord, property developer, letting or estate agent you will already know about the importance of kerb appeal for your properties. We offer our services to commercial and residential clients from individual properties, one-off garden maintenance for newly completed property developments or contracts for businesses with multi-premises.

Whatever your query, don’t hesitate to contact us for a fast and friendly response and a professional high quality gardening service in South Manchester.