Summer can be one of the best and worst times for your garden. While the hotter months bring plentiful fruits and vegetables, it can also be a tricky time for more delicate flowers and grassy areas that are more susceptible to dehydration.
To help you create and complete your summer gardening checklist, we have spoken to gardener, author and firefighter Jonny Hincks. Jonny, who goes by @gardenwithjonny on Instagram and TikTok and has a whopping two million followers, recently spoke to the Daily Mail about his favourite garden tips and tricks and common gardening mistakes that can hold people back over the summer months.
Top Tips for a Thriving Garden
When asked about his top three tips, Jonny emphasised the importance of watering deeply rather than frequently. 'Water not as often, but really water deeply. You want your roots to really try and find the water. The problem with watering little and often is that the roots tend to stay at the top of the surface and dry out quickly. Give them a really good drink twice a week.'
Feeding plants is another key tip. 'Especially if you have roses that need a lot of food, people forget to feed their plants or just think they won't bother.'
Good tools are also essential. 'Getting your hands on something like the Bypass Auto Pruners is important, especially if you are going to be pruning your flowers a lot. It saves the back and hands from carpal tunnel. I am no spring chicken anymore, so I need to keep an eye on my joints.'
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is cutting the lawn too short. 'I think a lot of people think it is summer, so they will get their lawn really short. The problem is it can dry out quickly and turn brown, especially during a heat wave. In summer, I actually cut my lawn slightly higher.'
Shade Garden Solutions
Jonny also addressed common questions about shade in the garden. 'People struggle with shade and ask what plants do well. I am a sucker for a woodland border. You have hostas, acer trees for form, hellebores, and many other plants for shaded borders.'
Recommended Products
Jonny shared his go-to products. 'When it comes to products I use in my own garden, I am selective. One of the best is my Husqvarna Automower, which keeps the lawn tidy without me having to think about it. For tools, I cannot be without a good pair of secateurs, a hori hori knife, and a solid spade. They cover most jobs around the garden.'
For feeding plants, he recommends Envii products. 'I regularly use their general plant feeds, and I am a big fan of Envii Feed & Protect on my hostas. It feeds the plants while making foliage less appealing to slugs without relying on traditional slug pellets.'
He advises beginners not to waste money on miracle products. 'In most cases, I would rather spend money on high-quality peat-free compost than a shelf full of specialist treatments. Good compost improves the foundation for everything.'
If he could recommend one product to beginners, it would be a mechanical weed puller. 'As someone who loves lawn care, I know weeds are a big frustration. A good weed puller removes weeds from the root without chemicals and gives instant satisfaction.'
Affordable Gardening Hacks
Jonny suggests keeping yoghurt pots for seed trays. 'I am coming up to the season for sowing foxgloves, and yoghurt pots are perfect little seed trays. Plus, you are recycling plastic.'
Most Expensive Purchase
His most expensive gardening purchase is his shed. 'It is probably the most expensive thing I have bought myself, but I do not regret it at all. Storage is a big thing in gardens nowadays. I have a place for every single tool in my shed.'
