Summertime in Poppy’s garden

Summertime in Poppy's Garden

By midsummer, gardens are lush, wild spaces and should be a thriving and healthy habitat for predators and pests alike. In my garden, my medicinal perennials are buzzing with pollinators at this time of year and it's a great space to throw down a rug and relax. We shouldn't underestimate the role of beauty in our lives, and summertime is the season for sitting back and enjoying all our hard work. However, there are still some important jobs to do this season.

Here are some essential jobs to do at this time of year:

• Deadheading – to ensure continual flowering, it's important to deadhead so that plants don't put all their energy into creating seeds.
• Harvest from leafy greens regularly to prevent them from bolting.
• Take part in 'No Mow May', or extend it for longer to ensure wildlife has a habitat to thrive in.
• The sudden appearance of summer gluts mean this is a good time to start thinking about preserving food for the winter months.
• Go foraging for medicinal flowers, such as meadowsweet and St John's wort.