NO-FEAR GARDENING PART 4: TACKLING SUMMER PROBLEMS

Get your garden and crops into better shape by prioritising a few simple but effective jobs this month - Frances Tophill explains how

- 

In the height of summer, although blooms may be burgeoning and scent is at its peak, challenges appear as the garden becomes untidy. But if you work on a few easy tasks, order can be restored.

With plants growing at full throttle, you may find that some elements look in need of a little neatening and control. Plants may begin to bend and flop as heavy flowers or fruits pull down their stems, while weeds (or plants that aren't wanted) will often be setting seed now, getting ready to spread.

In these hot summer days, there is also a prevalence of insect pests – aphids can multiply quickly on crops such as fruit trees, while cabbage white caterpillars can wreak havoc on brassicas. In the heat and drought of summer, many plants can also become stressed and suffer with disorders and nutritional deficiencies such as blossom end rot (mainly on tomatoes) or various mineral imbalances that usually lead to their leaves becoming pale or discoloured.

The best course of action is to work out what the priorities are. Sort the immediate or urgent problems first, and then start tackling jobs that will become a problem later if left and ignored.

This month, a timely trim and a little tidying can prolong the garden's glory for months into autumn, so they're a quick way to create a sense of order. The bigger jobs that really deal with problem areas can be tackled once the weather cools down in autumn.

But above all I'd say don't worry. One thing a garden always has is time. It's never finished, so any part of it that didn't go to plan this year, can be worked on and improved next year.

Without a defined edge that separates a border from the lawn, the grass will slowly spread in among your border plants. It makes maintenance easier and looks pleasing if you keep these two areas distinct and separate.