Welcome back to part two of your ultimate calendar guide to gardening. This section continues from part one and takes you through the key gardening jobs for the second half of the year — from July to December.
Mid-Year Gardening Calendar Guide
July
This month brings the peak of summer, and your garden will be in full bloom. Plant winter vegetables such as garlic, spinach, onions and carrots. Harvest fruits like nectarines and peaches — remove any spoiled ones to avoid pests. Our Pheromone Moth Trap works well for protecting fruit trees such as peaches.
Ventilate hot greenhouses as much as possible. Using an automatic greenhouse opener saves time and maintains airflow. Add extra protection from heat and sunlight with our white liquid shading. Protect bulbs from slugs with Sluggo slug and snail pellets.
Regular watering is vital — save time with a soaker hose for your greenhouse or raised beds.
August
August is for relaxing, harvesting and enjoying your garden in full bloom. Keep bird baths topped up in hot weather and apply lawn feed to maintain lush grass. Feed roses, harvest apples and pears with a harvesting apron, and store fruit in punnets or trays.
Plant new strawberry plants — remember to mulch and feed. You can also grow Christmas potatoes in easy grow pots for a festive harvest.
September
Harvest time has arrived. Gather sweetcorn, onions, shallots, fruits and main-crop potatoes. Add a cosy firepit for cooler evenings. Scarify or rake lawns, aerate compacted areas, and reseed with grass seed. Use liquid lawn feed to encourage regrowth.
Sow winter greens such as lettuce, salad, spinach and cress. Start a compost heap — a good quality composter or hot compost bin saves time and effort.
October
Autumn is here — cooler days and falling leaves mean it’s time to mulch borders, prune and tidy. Install a water butt to collect rainwater and save money. Plant garlic, pot up herbs to bring indoors, and harvest squash and pumpkins. Sow sweet peas in a growhouse.
Refill bird feeders and add an insect hotel for overwintering insects. Be frost-ready with fleece protection or an eco alternative made from sheep’s wool. Check out our greenhouse insulation kits to keep plants warm.
November
As winter approaches, finish planting bulbs and scarify lawns where needed. Grease fruit trees to deter crawling insects and protect crops under cloches or garden fleece.
Plant new fruit trees and soft fruit plants, remove leaves from ponds and use pond netting with algae control. Clear and clean greenhouses and check for wildlife before lighting bonfires. Add a wildlife house or outdoor wildlife camera for garden visitors.
December
December is cold, often with frost and snow. Shake off snow from shrubs to prevent damage. Wrap plants with fleece or use fleece bags. Harvest winter vegetables like sprouts and parsnips, divide rhubarb and prepare greenhouse heaters.
Insulate outdoor taps to prevent freezing, and top up bird feeders. Move houseplants to bright windowsills, and use a grow lamp for extra light. Some plants can sit above a radiator for warmth during cold spells.
Spend rainy days planning ne