Hello from all of us at Hilltop Garden Centre!
We’re right in the middle of summer now, and July is a glorious month to really enjoy your garden at its peak – all those earlier months of planting and prepping are now bursting into life. It’s also the perfect time to keep things looking fresh, colourful, and thriving right through to autumn.
Here at your local garden centre in Clacton, we’re always ready to lend a hand (or a trowel!) with friendly advice and fresh new ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, here are our top gardening tips for July to help your garden bloom this summer.
Make way for more flowers – deadheading is key
July is when many plants are at their peak, producing beautiful blooms that are a joy to see. But to keep those flowers coming, especially in annuals and repeat flowering perennials like Geraniums, Petunias, and Roses, deadheading is essential.
Deadheading simply means removing faded or dead flowers. This encourages the plant to redirect its energy into creating more buds rather than producing seeds. Use clean, sharp scissors or secateurs and snip just above a leaf joint or bud.
Talking about Geraniums, our homegrown Geraniums are still looking fabulous – and they’re only £2.99 each this month. When they’re gone, they’re gone, so pop in and take a look while they’re still available.
Get Dahlias in - they're a summer showstopper!
If you’ve visited us at Hilltop Garden Centre just outside Clacton lately, you’ll know we’re a little bit in love with Dahlias – and for good reason. These vibrant beauties are our plant of the month in July and they’ll reward you with blooms from now until the first frosts.
To get the best from your Dahlias, plant them in a sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil. Taller varieties may need staking with canes as they grow to keep them upright. Feed regularly and water well during dry spells. Most importantly – deadhead frequently! Look for blooms that are fading, and cut them back just above a leaf joint.
Time to feed those tomatoes – and yourself!
If you’re growing your own tomatoes, July is when they’ll start to flower – or even produce fruit, as we’ve been lucky with the sunshine so far this year. To get the juiciest harvests, feeding is vital. Use a high-potash feed like Rocket Gro Tomato Food or grab a bottle of Tomorite, both available at Hilltop.
Tomatoes love a sunny spot, regular watering, and feeding once a week when flowers start to appear. Pinch out side shoots to keep your plants focused on fruiting.
Plant bedding plants for summer long colour
Whether you're creating a colourful border or filling up containers, bedding plants are a quick and easy way to transform your garden or patio. July is still a great time to plant them – and they’ll keep flowering right through the summer and into early autumn if you feed and water regularly.
Some of our favourite combinations include Petunias with trailing Lobelia, or Marigolds with blue Salvia for a bold, sunny display. For something more delicate, try Bacopa and Alyssum in hanging baskets.
Hilltop specials: This month we have an offer where you can get 3 for £10 on our jumbo pot bedding, and as you can see, we have a fantastic range available!
Top up summer containers
If your hanging baskets or containers are looking a little tired, July is the ideal time for a refresh. Use a quality compost like our Rocket Gro Container & Basket Compost for best results – it’s peat-free, rich in nutrients, and kind to the planet.
Keep baskets well-watered (they dry out quickly in the sun) and feed them every couple of weeks with a liquid fertiliser like Tomorite or our Rocket Gro range. Don’t forget to deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming!
How to care for your lawn this month
This is the time of year when your lawn really earns its keep – it’s the perfect picnic spot, play space and place to relax. To keep it looking lush and green through the summer, mow regularly (once or twice a week is ideal), but avoid cutting it too short in hot weather as this can stress the grass. If your lawn is looking a little tired or patchy, give it a boost with a high-nitrogen summer feed and water deeply once a week rather than little and often. And don’t forget to edge your borders with a half moon edging tool for a neat, tidy finish – it really does make a difference!
Water wisely
With warmer weather in full swing, keeping plants hydrated is more important than ever. Early mornings or evenings are the best time to water – it reduces evaporation and allows roots to soak up moisture properly. Rainwater is always better to use for your plants, and setting up a water butt can be worth its weight in gold to save money on your water bill - plus your plants will prefer it!
Use a watering can with a rose for delicate plants or seedlings, and always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves, especially if you are using tap water as the chlorine in the water will burn the leaves. Remember to water containers and hanging baskets daily in hot spells. Perhaps consider installing a slow release watering system for pots, hanging baskets and borders to ensure your plants stay looking their best.
Tip: Mulch your borders and baskets with bark or compost to lock in moisture and suppress weeds.
Other garden jobs to do this July
- Weed regularly – Weeds grow quickly in the summer warmth, so stay on top of them to stop them stealing water and nutrients from your plants. A good hoe and a dry day work wonders!
- Plant autumn-flowering bulbs – Now’s the time to plant bulbs like autumn crocus and nerines for a colourful show later in the year. We’ve got fresh bulb stock arriving – pop in and take a look.
- Harvest your homegrown veg – Courgettes, peas, potatoes, salad leaves and even early tomatoes may be ready to pick. The more you harvest, the more you encourage new growth!
- Support tall plants – Keep plants like delphiniums upright by adding canes or supports before they get too heavy with blooms.
Want to learn more about gardening from our plant's expert?
If you’d like a little extra help and inspiration, join our hands-on planting workshop with Carmel. Carmel is our in-house plant expert here at Hilltop, and on Friday 30th August, she’ll be sharing her knowledge on mulching, preparing your garden for winter, propagation by splitting perennials, and even how to start and manage your own compost bin. It’s a friendly, practical session where you’ll get stuck in, take home some of the plants you’ve worked with, and pick up loads of useful tips. Places are limited, so if you’d like to register your interest fill in this form and we’ll be in touch, or pop in and ask a team member for more information. Armed with the right knowledge and useful tips and advice, you'll be able to keep your garden growing strong right through the seasons!
Visit Hilltop this July
If you're visiting this month, you'll find plenty of special offers and new products throughout our garden centre – don't forget to try out our brand new Hartman wooden garden table and chairs range, including stylish bistro sets and garden benches.
Treat yourself to lunch and slice of cake at Floral Days Café while you're here – it's the perfect way to take a break from browsing our plant areas and food pantry. And if you're heading home with furniture or heavy items, remember we offer a local delivery service – just ask our team member for details.
Thanks for reading – and happy gardening from all of us at Hilltop Garden Centre Clacton-on-Sea. Whether you’re feeding your veg, deadheading your Dahlias or simply soaking up the sunshine in your garden, we hope July brings colour, calm and plenty of reasons to get outside.
Come and visit your favourite garden centre in Essex soon – we’re always happy to help with gardening tips and advice!
