As temperatures continue to stay warm, gardeners need to pay extra attention to their bedding plants – otherwise they risk losing them. The UK is fast approaching its fourth heatwave, which means many of us are looking forward to BBQ parties and time spent lounging on the deck chair with a good book. Unfortunately, gardeners with bedding plants need to stay vigilant – as these plants are harshly affected by hot, dry conditions.
Bedding plants are plants that are placed into a garden bed or container when they are about to bloom. They tend to be flowers that bloom just once a season and are discarded once it’s over.
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Common examples of bedding plants in the UK include petunia, dahlia, marigold and fuchsia, which are well-loved for their vibrant display of petals.
Unfortunately, these plants are also incredibly thirsty and require frequent watering – especially in hot, dry weather, which sees water evaporate quickly from the soil.
For this reason, you need to be extra vigilant. Gardener’s World writes: “Feed, water and deadhead summer bedding regularly, in pots, borders and hanging baskets.”
As for how frequently you should water bedding plants, they advise watering pots twice a day in both the morning and the evening. You should also water them about twice a week with half-strength feed to make sure they have enough nutrients.
If you want your bedding flowers to bloom continuously throughout the season you should pick off dead flowerheads regularly. This allows fresh blooms to keep reappearing.
If you neglect this task, they can start setting seed instead. This triggers an end to their flowering period, which means they will lose their bright petals.
Another important gardening task that should be completed in July is deadheading roses. This way you will stimulate new growth and prevent them from seeding too early.
You can simply pull off the dead blooms by hand. However, another effective method is to use a pair of secateurs to cut back to the first leaf below the dead flower.
Equally, it’s important to be on the lookout for bug infestations, particularly as the weather heats up. Insects like aphids and mealybugs can wreak havoc on your plants if left unattended.