Summer is on its here! In fact, June 21st is Midsummer – the longest day of the year – and with the lengthier periods of light and warmer weather, there’s plenty to do in the garden.
We’ve listed this month’s top jobs to get done in the garden, but in keeping with our animal theme for the month, we’ve also included information on how to make your outside space a safe and happy place for you and your pet!
Now that the risk of night frost has passed, it’s time to plant out annual summer bedding plants, plant up containers and prepare hanging baskets.
There’s still time to plant out runner beans. These can be sown directly into the ground now.
If you have onion or garlic plants, watch for the leaves turning yellow and dying back; this means they are ready to harvest.
If you have a greenhouse, remember to open vents and doors on hot days, and damp it down on warm days to increase humidity and to deter red spider mites.
Water your lawn in the hot weather, particularly if your lawn has been newly turfed.
Clip evergreen hedges such as Privet, Box and Yew while they are in active growth.
Prune plum and cherry trees now.
If you have compost, turn this every month to keep it aerated.
PET-FRIENDLY SPACES
Plants
There are lots of plants and flowers that can be toxic to pets. Daffodils and crocuses, for example, are poisonous to pets. The stamens of lilies are highly toxic to cats, while holly, ivy and oak leaves are very dangerous for rabbits. On the other hand, certain plants like chamomile (which helps to reduce anxiety) can be beneficial to pets. A helpful list of poisonous plants can be found at the following sites:
- Dogs – www.dogstrust.org.uk
- Cats – www.icatcare.org/advice
- Rabbits – www.happyhopper.co.uk
Shade
During the summer months, your pet is likely to want to spend time outside, but as they get hotter faster than humans, it’s important to provide areas of shade in a garden, where your pet can spend time if they get too warm. This can be achieved with plants such as large palms, or by using canvas shade sails which can be put up during the summer months and taken down at the end of the season. Importantly, remember to leave fresh bowls of water in the garden on hot days.
Pests
Garden pests like snails and slugs play havoc with plants and flowers, but can also carry lungworm – a parasite that can cause pneumonia, heart problems and breathing problems. If you are using slug or snail pellets, ensure that the active ingredient is ferros phosphate and not metaldehyde, which is poisonous to animals.
Other garden pests – weeds – also need to be carefully dealt with if you have pets. Glyphosate-based weedkiller is poisonous to pets. Much better to pull weeds out by hand, even if it takes a little more effort!
