We are now well and truly into summer, and the lawn is going to need regular mowing, at least once a week, but preferably twice. The more often it is cut, then less grass is removed each time, meaning your lawns will remain healthier. Try to vary the direction you mow each time as well, as this will prevent grass growing one way, making it more difficult for mower blades to cut effectively. Adjust blades to a low height, say 1.25cm for optimal effect.

Grass cuttings can also make useful compost. However, remember to mix it up with other plant material to allow air to circulate and facilitate decomposition. Too much grass dumped in one spot together will simply turn into a horrible pile of sludge, which will be unpleasant and difficult to spread.

You may also have some bald spots in your lawn, which are in need of repair. Hunter Pole sells a "turbo fast" lawn seed, which is resilient to dry conditions, and will grow quicker than conventional lawn seed. A patchy lawn will be restored in no time. Check on the image above to have a truely wonderful lawn.

 

 

One plant that will be coming into its own at this time of year is one of my personal favourites Buddleja Davidii (Butterfly Bush). The elegant spikes of purple panicles of flowers are beautiful and fantastic for attracting butterflies (surprise, surprise) into your garden. It is also a prodigiously fast grower and one of the easiest plants to propagate. All you need to do is take a leafy cutting of say 6 inches in length, pop it in a jar of water, immersing to at least half its height, and simply wait. Two months later there should be a clump of roots appearing from the base, and the cutting is now ready for planting in a pot full of compost. Nothing could be simpler.

Happy gardening!