Monty Don reveals the garden job you need to do today to avoid a 'disaster zone overnight'
This garden task will keep your plants from collapsing and protect them from the unpredictable UK weather
With gardens in full bloom, we might forgiven for finally thinking all that hard work is over and done with. Monty Don is here to tell you that might not be the case.
Working hard to incorporate your favourite garden trends into your space is a truly rewarding task, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that you need to take precautions to protect it. Yes, when our flowers are happy and towering there's still work to be done, to ensure they stay that way.
Even with the weather hotting up there's no escaping the unpredictable UK weather with its heavy summer showers and powerful gale-force winds. So to keep your garden from falling victim, Monty Don says it's time to stake.
Monty Don's plant staking advice
We were once again all ears when the expert shared his monthly advice on Montydon.com this July. As always, he begins his post with a quick reflection on the gardening conditions behind us and what we are dealing with in the present.
"Roses are still looking good at the beginning of the month and the clematis switches from the big blooms of the early summer types (group II) to the more abundant, albeit smaller flowers of the viticella and other late-flowering (group III) ones. Tender annuals such as cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers and tithonias hit their strife and crocosmia, agapanthus, lilies and dahlias are all summer-flowering bulbs that enrich the borders," he says.
And whilst we've learned how to prune our rose bushes and figured out if we should deadhead the clematis, what other jobs must we crack on with this month to get our garden growing at its best?
According to the gardening professional now is the time to be staking your border plants.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
A post shared by Monty Don (@themontydon)
A photo posted by on
Monty explains, "The extra warmth of July often leads to a flush of lush growth that plants cannot support. The result is that borders can start to fall all over the place, plants outgrowing themselves and toppling chaotically - especially if lashed by rain, winds or thunderstorms and what was lovely profusion can become a disaster zone overnight."
No one wants their charming cottage garden turning into a disaster zone, luckily Monty has shared his method for keeping your garden protected and happy.
"So it is good to have some brushwood such as hazel pea sticks or metal supports ready and to gently work round the borders easing plants upright and providing the underpinning that they need," says Monty.
He continues, "But without reducing the border to a stiffly corseted state that loses all the charm of midsummer bounty. Ideally, it should not look as though you have done anything at all."
Pack of 40 Willow Pea & Bean Support Sticks (90cm): £14.99 at Amazon
These sticks of a great amount of support for plants, they can be cut shorter or tied together to elongate. And because they're made of all-natural materials they won't become an eyesore in your charming garden.
When growing some of the best plants every garden needs we can often forget they need a little help after they've reached their peak. Monty says that species most in need of support are taller growing annuals such as Ammi Majus, sunflowers, cleome, cosmos sensation, tithonias and Leonotis.
He says, "As these are planted individually it is hard to support them in the gently bolstering fashion that suits a large herbaceous perennial, but they can be staked to half their height and tied with soft twine so that they can still move gently but not collapse completely."
If you need us we'll be frantically tying our beloved flowers down so the wind doesn't steal them away.
Whilst you're out in the garden why not try out some of Monty's other great tips and tricks? He recently shared his expert compost tips and also his advice for pruning rambling roses.
The Gardening Book by Monty Don, £14 at Amazon
Benefit from having all of Monty's wisdom at your fingertips by buying his latest book to use like a garden manual. From growing vegetables to planting a wildflower border this book gives you the basics to grow over 100 varieties of flowers, shrubs, houseplants and more.
Emily joined woman&home as a staff writer after finishing her MA in Magazine Journalism from City University in 2023. After writing various health and news content, she now specialises in lifestyle and home writing where she covers all things cleaning, interiors and homeowning.
-
Kate Moss makes a convincing case for winter florals - wearing the chicest vintage slip dress that's perfect for the festive season ahead
We can't wait to shop similar styles before they sell out!
By Molly Smith Published
-
Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow review: Some will love it, others will hate it but I'll recommend this pillow for neck pain every time
The Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow is a unique shape and it won't be for everyone. Find out if it could help ease your neck pain though as Caramel Quin reviews
By Caramel Quin Published
-
Jennifer Aniston's contemporary living room strikes the perfect balance between stylish and homely
Who said monochromatic colour palettes can't feel warm and comforting?
By Emily Smith Published
-
5 must-have hosting items I'm picking up from Anthropologie to wow my guests this festive season
From tablescapes to prosecco flutes, these are the items that will set the scene in style
By Emily Smith Published
-
Gwyneth Paltrow's clever design trick to pull colour into her neutral kitchen - the affordable and practical hack is so easy to recreate
Gwyneth Paltrow injected just enough colour into her sleek, all-white kitchen with a genius and practical interior design hack
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Cleaning expert reveals her secret for keeping dark clothes dark – using one budget household item
If you're tired of seeing your black clothes slowly fading to grey with every wash cycle you need to try this budget laundry hack
By Emily Smith Published
-
Reese Witherspoon's staircase oozes sophistication thanks to one 'often forgotten' finishing touch
The small addition immediately elevates the decor from functional to fabulous
By Emily Smith Published
-
What are bare root plants, and why are they such a brilliant investment for gardeners on a budget?
Bare root plants are trending right now – and for good reason
By Kayleigh Dray Published
-
Electric blanket vs heated throw - what's the difference and which one do you need?
We asked bedding experts to explain the differences between electric blankets and heated throws to help you decide which one is the best for keeping you cosy
By Emily Smith Published
-
I'm cleaning my kitchen counters wrong according to a professional cleaner – are you guilty of making the same mistake?
Who knew you could clean your countertops incorrectly? This new method will certainly be my go-to from now on
By Emily Smith Published