Category: Gardening News

Heatwave tips to get through the summer

It’s official. This spring has been the hottest and sunniest on record in the UK. We all love sunny days and outdoor activities. However, extreme heat, the likes of which we are currently experiencing, does take its toll on our gardens and on our lawns in particular. Here are some easy heatwave tips to help to keep your lawns looking good.

Our Ed’s gardeners say that, although it can be tempting to water a lawn in the scorching heat of the day, when the sun appears to be frazzling it, this is really not a good idea. To water in the midday heat can actually do more harm than good. Most of your watering will very quickly evaporate in the heat and this can quickly lead to lawn damage.

The sweet spot time for watering is between 5am and 9am in the morning (hosepipe rules permitting of course!). Both the air and the soil are cooler at this time and the water can get right down to the roots of your lawn and soak in to optimise moisture levels.

If early mornings don’t work for you, a viable alternative is to water in the evening. However, make sure to water early evening and before dusk so your lawn has time to dry to mitigate the risk of lawn fungus developing.

Deep watering every few days is a also generally a good strategy rather than lighter watering every day.

With regard to actual mowing, in hot conditions it can make sense to mow your lawn on a higher setting on the lawnmower. This means that the soil is more protected and shaded and that moisture in the soil can be held easier.

So there we are, a few easy tips to help keep your lawn looking good. Effective watering and smart mowing really can make all the difference to your outdoor space. Enjoy your summer!

If you would like some help keeping your garden in tip top condition, Ed’s covers a wide range of locations. Please do get in touch.

Planning ahead for spring with Ed’s

Planning ahead for spring is on your to do list?

It’s easy to feel like you have lots of time with the mainly wintery weather we are currently having. Some days it can feel like spring must be a very long way off indeed! It is hard to imagine your garden as a sunny place where you want to be out spending as much time as possible.

However, it is official. Spring really is just around the corner.

All the signs are there. The snowdrops are already out and the daffodils and tulips will be hot on their heels. It’s time to think ahead, folks! Planning ahead for spring really is a good idea.

Indeed, Our Ed’s gardeners enjoy working with you over the year to help you plan ahead to achieve what you want from your garden. We are always happy to advise on the best time to undertake a whole range of gardening jobs.

Before we know where we are, mowing will be in full swing so it is always a good idea to think of the other jobs you might want doing around now. Our gardeners are likely to have a bit more free time earlier in the season before they get into the extremely busy period when lawns are growing like crazy. In addition to mowing, our Ed’s gardeners deliver core services of hedge cutting, garden tidy ups, garden clearances and jet washing patios and drives.

In summary, our Ed’s gardeners’ aim is to help you to keep your gardens looking fabulous. Some jobs are big and some are small – we are happy to discuss all of them with you.

If you think our gardeners can help you with any of your garden’s needs for the season ahead, please do get in touch.

Hedgehogs are indeed very close to the hearts of Ed’s gardeners. They’re very effective pest controllers, eating up many plant destroying insects and snails, and love nothing better than a good compost heap to curl up in. They really are fantastic little garden buddies. We consider it our privilege to be so close to nature on a daily basis and to share the garden with them.

However, hedgehog numbers have been dropping rapidly in the UK, as the animals have become increasingly threatened by urbanisation. So, what can we do to look out for them?

How can we help?

Our Ed’s gardeners meet quite a lot of little hedgehog friends as they go about their day-to-day gardening jobs, especially in autumn. All of our gardeners have their own stories about encounters with our spiky little friends, and do their best to help them whenever they can.

Dan, our Ed’s gardener in Great Bookham, escorted this cute little fellow to safety when he found it wandering just a bit too close to the main road.

As their name suggests, hedgehogs love sleeping in hedges. When these hedges border busy roads, it can be dangerous when they wander out for a bit of fresh air.

They also like curling up in cosy piles of leaves and other garden waste to have a nice long nap. Please do keep this in mind when moving piles of leaves and garden rubbish that have been left, even for a little while. That way no harm will come to any hedgehogs. Our gardeners always have a thorough check through any piles that have been sitting before we move anything.

Remember, remember the 5th of November

Finally, and very importantly for hedgehogs, Bonfire Night is almost here. Hedgehogs are very partial to curling up in leaves and twigs, so an unlit bonfire is a very attractive place for a hedgehog to take a quick autumn nap. Please do check thoroughly that there are no little sleeping beauties inside before you set alight any bonfires.

If you find a hedgehog, use a handkerchief or dish towel or even a bunch of autumn leaves to gently pick him up. Then move him to a quiet spot before the bonfire and firework festivities begin. He will be very grateful for it!

Lawns can make or break a lovely garden, but they can also be a pain to maintain. Thankfully, we’ve got our gardener Clive on hand to dish out his knowledge and experience. So, here are some of the best tips for a well-kept lawn, courtesy of Clive – our Ed’s gardener in Hampton.

1. Keep it well-fed

A well-fed lawn encourages a strong root system, promoting healthy growth and that luscious green colour you see the lawn Clive mowed above.

2. Aerate and scarify

To avoid the dull, soggy look that lawns get coming out of the winter season, scarify the lawn as the warmer months approach. Scarification removes all the dead growth and moss from lawns, allowing water and nutrients to properly reach the roots.

You can see what a difference it makes in these before and after photos from a lawn scarification job Clive did a few years ago.

Clive recommends aerating and scarifying the lawn on alternative years for the best results. Aeration prevents bare patches in your lawn by releasing pressure when the ground becomes compacted.

Making small holes in the soil with either a lawn aerator or a garden fork lets the lawn breathe and encourages regrowth in those sparser patches.

3. Regular mowing

During peak growing times, mow the lawn weekly on a medium height blade. Just like hair, lawns need a frequent trim to maintain strong growth.

Regular mowing also deters weeds and keeps your grass looking vibrant, fresh and healthy. Plus, we love the stripes!

Take care not to cut it too short during dry weather, though, as this could damage the lawn and leave it looking yellow and patchy.

4. Neat lawn edges

Crisp lawn edges are the cherry on top of a well-maintained garden. They’re also super satisfying to create, as our Ed’s gardener Nick shows you in the video below.

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Lawn edging is especially useful if you have flowerbeds around your lawn that you’re keen to show off. Simply trimming the overhanging grass on a regular basis is a great way to elevate your garden.

Need a hand with your lawn?

Although rewarding, we know lawn care can be time-consuming, and it’s sometimes difficult to get that desired result. If you’d like help from an expert, find your local Ed’s gardener and get in touch today.