July in Ireland brings long, bright days, and gardens are at their most productive.
With all the rain we have had, plants are lush and in full bloom, so it’s important to keep dead-heading in order to prolong the flowering season.
Vegetables are ripening and filling out, so using vegetables that are ready, such as peas and beans, encourages more vegetables to grow.
This month brings its challenges too, however. For example, trying to maintain the mountain of weeds, and keeping pests like slugs, snails, aphids, and caterpillars in check.
Then you are continuously planning ahead for the next season!
In July, you can sow carrots, beetroot, and turnips for autumn harvesting. Leeks can also be planted at this stage for harvesting early next year. And salad leaves can be planted in succession for continuous picking.
In our garden here at Rothe House, the plants currently in full bloom include Galega, Hollyhock, Everlasting Sweet Pea, the Madonna Lily, and Turk’s-Cap Lilies.
The orchard is also teeming with fruit at the moment, which will be ready for picking next month.
Jobs that can be undertaken in your garden during the month of July:
- Dividing Irises
- Trimming Buxus hedges
- Saving seeds
- Feeding annuals with liquid fertiliser
- Planting autumn flowering bulbs
Remember, when watering your plants, try to do so either early in the morning or later in the evening!
If you would like to book a group tour of our garden with Head Gardener, Mary Pyke, for your club/society simply email reception@rothehouse.com and we would be delighted to arrange it.
