Tips from our garden designers on how to be prepared for a hot, dry summer
It may seem strange thinking about droughts now, but it’s always prudent to prepare for the worst. The chances of another hot dry summer is as likely as ever, and with a very warm winter so far, our plants need all the help they can get if they’re to survive.
Remember if hot, dry summers are on the cards, here are some tips from our experienced garden designers:
Grass normally begins in the middle of December and onwards. Watering a lawn is perfect if you have ample supply of water, but water limitations come into effect this time of year so budget sensibly how to use accessible water, even if the lawn might have to wait. The alternative method is to design a garden that has other faces like wooden decking, shingle, and paving stones etc.
Pick plants which will make it through even if it doesn’t rain for a potentially long period as it did last year. There is no real point to having fragile annuals and perennials.
Compost/ mulch. Before planting make sure you have sufficient compost in the soil, cultivate it deeply if the plant in question has clay base. Add sand if needed to collapse the clay. It’s vital to liberally apply mulch well before the summer heat hits. Do it in the autumn or winter so that the plant’s roots stay warm and will be protected from the frost as well. Then in the summer they will be able to stay cool even in the hot sun and the ground will remain moist for them. Create a fine balance of essentials in your garden, so include a graceful water feature if possible. Make sure its size is proportionate to the size of the garden too.
Generate some shade by establishing trees if you have the room. Even a garden in London could accommodate a small tree, and you’d be surprised how much shade these small trees can produce, not to mention how beautiful and resilient they are. Smart use of shade and other low-maintenance shrubberies can give you a prosperous garden. You can create additional shade by using synthetic elements such as awnings, sun umbrellas, and arches. All of these combined elements are good for yourself and the more delicate plants which won’t be under as much stress as a result.
Keep in mind that you simply must accept that the most drought-tolerant flowers may not be in your preferred colour. They have a habit of being mostly yellow and orange shades.
Don’t count on your garden looking like the front cover of a gardening magazine. Those sort of photographs are taken with a very good camera and a very talented Photoshop person in the beauty department. Perfection is often just a dream, but don’t ever stop chasing it.
Our garden designers have given you some great tips for designing your own garden, but if a big project is needed, and you want it look professional, then you’ll need the help a garden designer, which is where we come in. Our garden designers are often employed as a result of someone taking on too much and/ or requiring experts to manage the job.
Take a look at our past work and drop us an email or give us a ring to find out more about us. You won’t regret it.
