1. Resolving Twelve Common Summer Gardening Challenges

Garden dilemmas during the sweltering summer season can be a real pain, but don't fret - with a bit of creativity and forethought, many challenges can be squarely dealt with.

More summer gardening tips:

Navigating uncertain summers: gardening secrets
What plants to prune in summer
Feeding your plants in summer

Check out our catalog of frequent summer gardening issues and their fixes below.

Issue: Pest problems

Solution: Organic gardeners must take measures to lessen attacks - build a diverse garden, mix up your plantings, and choose varieties less favored by unwanted guests like greenflies or whiteflies. Attract birds (who consume insects) to your garden for additional help. Bonuses like ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies, and yes, even wasps dine on aphids. If all else fails, use a strong jet of water from a hose to dislodge pests. Whenever possible, avoid using chemicals, as they may harm helpful species already controlling the pests. Keep an eye on healthy plants that can typically shrug off unwanted visitors.

Issue: No more flowers

Solution: Many plants like sweet peas will stop flowering if allowed to go to seed. Make sure to pick flowers to bring indoors, and deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering through summer and into autumn. Leaving faded flowers can weaken the plant appearance, and verbena, although long-blooming, may spread its seed too prolifically. To keep plants looking neat and under control, remove faded flowers.

Issue: Brown lawn

Solution: In particularly hot summers, expect the grass to turn brown. Save water by letting the lawn go dormant, but don't waste it trying to keep it lush. Resilient grass will return its green glory once the first rain comes. If summer is unusually prolonged, set the lawn mower blade higher to slow brown growth.

Issue: Bothersome moles

Solution: Try various tricks to steer moles away: insert children's windmills into their tunnels, or sink empty wine bottles - neck up - into their burrows to deter them. Consider "mole movers" - vibrating metal spikes inserted into the ground. These are moderately effective on clay soil and can help somewhat. In more drastic cases, some may employ mole catchers.

Issue: Wilted plants

Solution: Pots and hanging baskets depend upon you for their moisture supply. Neglect them, and growth stalls. For deep watering containers, invest in a timer- controlled irrigation system. Keep an eye on young plants and annuals, including vegetables, which require consistent moisture; established shrubs and trees are more resilient.

Issue: Annoying wasps

Solution: Wasps are beneficial for consuming insect pests and caterpillars, but they also enjoy late-summer fruit. Trap them in narrow-necked jars of jam and water or hang up paper imitation wasps' nests to drive them away.

Issue: Green pond

Solution: A clear water oasis is the aspiration, but ponds may turn green during summer. New ponds require some time to establish balance. Add submerged oxygenating plants to banish algae. Also, encourage water lily leaves or other floating aquatics to cover the surface, providing shade, nutrient absorption, and discouraging algae growth. For very tiny ponds, aim for an ideal depth of 60-100cm in the center to maintain consistent temperatures. Remove blanket weed with a cane and haul it out as required.

Issue: Rabbits and deer

Solution: Online resources provide lists of rabbit and deer-resistant plants. However, in the long run, the only real solution is fencing. For deer, it needs to be around 3m tall, and for rabbits, 1-1.25m high with 45cm of netting buried to prevent burrowing. Proper fencing ensures lasting protection.

Issue: Fungal diseases on roses (Mildew and Black Spot)

Solution: Fungal diseases often attack stressed plants, particularly those in less-than-ideal conditions. Fertilize well and water deeply. Mulch with well-rotted manure, compost, or chipped bark to promote moisture retention. Swap susceptible varieties for disease-resistant ones to enjoy a healthier garden.

Issue: pesky weeds

Solution: Prevention is the key to a weed-free garden. Plant densely to encourage rapid growth. Keep the ground clear before planting new borders to eliminate perennial weed roots like ground elder and bindweed. Weed-suppressing membranes covered with mulch can help over pernicious weeds. Remove annual weeds by hand while young, ideally on warm, dry days for best results.

Issue: Greenhouse overheating

Solution: Greenhouses can become furnaces during summer. Ensure an overflow of ventilators - in the ridge and on the sides - for proper airflow. Invest in greenhouse blinds or whitewash to reduce direct sunlight and prevent excessive temperatures.

Issue: birds eating fruit

Solution: To ensure you get to enjoy your raspberries and strawberries, cover them with netting. Not loose netting that birds can get entangled in, but a proper fruit cage - taller for raspberries, shorter for strawberries. Remove netting after harvesting, and Voilà! Your garden will no longer resemble a tennis court.

Enrichment Data:

Strategies for Overcoming Garden Problems in Summer:

Insect attacks: Stay observant and act promptly to address pest issues. Use natural predators, insecticidal soaps, or neem oil solutions. Companion planting can help deter pests.
No more flowers: Heat stress or nutrient deficiency can cause flowering plants to stop blooming. Implement deep watering and regular fertilization. Use shade structures during hot weather to help plants continue flowering.
Brown lawn: Check water-saving techniques like watering deeply and infrequently, employing oscillating sprinklers with adjustable ranges to cut back on water waste.
Moles: Use mole traps, repellents, or castor oil-based products. Manage grub populations to discourage moles.
Wilting plants: Carefully check the moisture levels in the soil before watering to avoid causing root rot. Mulching reduces the need for frequent watering.
Wasps: Remove food sources, cover compost piles, and consider using wasp traps or hanging imitation nests.
Green pond: Minimize nutrient inputs, add aquatic plants, and use barley straw or safe algaecides to control algae.
Rabbits and deer: Plant deer and rabbit-resistant species, or use physical barriers like netting, and maintain a clean garden perimeter to reduce hiding spots.
Fungal diseases on roses: Frequently prune plants, improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, and remove diseased leaves promptly. Use fungicidal sprays formulated for roses to keep diseases at bay.
Weeds: Prevent weed growth by using mulch to block sunlight. Pull weeds before they flower to make them easier to manage.
Greenhouse overheating: Provide adequate ventilation through vents or fans and use shade cloth to minimize sunlight exposure. Implement automated watering systems to help manage water use and cool the greenhouse.

Additional general tips include heavy mulching (3-5 inches) with organic material to conserve moisture, reduce temperature fluctuations, and suppress weeds, and water deeply but wisely, preferably during cooler parts of the day to avoid overwatering and root stress. Temporary shade structures can protect heat-sensitive plants and extend flowering periods.

Incorporate a mix of 'home-and-garden' and 'gardening' into your lifestyle to tackle pest issues, such as greenflies or whiteflies, by promoting diversity in your garden and choosing less favored plants by unwanted guests.
To extend the blooming season of sweet peas and other flowering plants during the summer, practice 'deadheading' regularly to promote continuous flowering through summer and into autumn.

1. Resolving Twelve Common Summer Gardening Challenges