Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had an amazing garden makeover thanks to Hambrooks. The whole team delivered a spectacular result, fully meeting the brief we set and and exceeding our expectations. Our designer Emily fully understood our wishes and planned the perfect layout for us, and the landscaping team worked tirelessly and helpfully for the four weeks they were with us - very highly recommended.jenni lord Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First class service to trade companies. Also look after individuals coming for advice.paul gailer Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We couldn’t be happier with the work from Emily and her team! 🌿 From the very first meeting, Emily’s design ideas were thoughtful, creative, and perfectly suited to what we wanted. She listened carefully, added brilliant suggestions. The whole team hardworking. The end result is brilliant — our garden has been completely transformed, and we’re over the moon with it! Thank you, Emily and team, for creating a space we can enjoy for years to come. Highly recommend.Chris Horn Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hambrooks worked with my ideas to transform my garden. Andy and Ryan worked really hard. I'm excited about the end result and looking forward to spending more time in my new garden. Thank youCathy Montgomerie Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had our garden redesigned and landscaped by Hambrooks (May/June25) The process from initial design/quote stage through to day 1 to the last day has been exceptional service. A big shout out to Sam, incredibly professional and went above and beyond to guide us and to look after our garden especially during the heatwaves. I also couldn’t recommend the build team more, Mark especially walked us through his plan for the day, always on time and incredibly tidy. Everyone knew the plans and didn’t need to ask me too many questions. Sam has still been on hand after completion and we’ll continue to rely on the team and it doesn’t seem a bother to them. Very grateful for a fantastic renovation and a place I can relax and enjoyCarla Packwood Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The unused part of our garden with poor paving, a lawnmower shed and virtually no grass, was transformed by Hambrooks into a pleasant space to relax. New paving, a sitting out area and a selection of specimen trees have made the area usable again. The flowerbeds alongside the house was something we could not have dreamed of. The final clever design feature was to move the shed behind a trellis. This now our utility area.John Foxwell Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so pleased with the work, designed by Emily, and installed by Dave and Jack. From the outset both the customer service and the workmanship were exemplary. We were kept fully informed at all times and every effort was made to minimise any disruption and to keep the site clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend Hambrooks to friends and family.Sally Shears Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Difficult to get an HGV in however once in quick unload and friendly staff could do with a sign outside front as I drove right past it and caused a traffic jam turning aroundnick keable Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The fish pond we installed over 40 years ago had become silted up and overgrown, the liner was well past its guarantee and maintenance had become a pain. Hambrooks cleared and replaced it with a gurgling mountain stream. The birds love it, the frogs love it, and we love it too!Mike Giles Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The design team were very helpful and gave us all the the time we needed to discuss the plan and go through the detail of the planting. Dave and Jack worked veryhard and were very professional. They were organised and tidied each day. The garden looks great. The only suggestion I made to the design team was that I would have appreciated a talk through care and maintenance of our new planting.Audrey Scott
For many gardeners, July is the most lush and colourful month in our gardens. It is probably also the month when we start harvesting our fruit and veg in earnest, too. Depending on the weather, it tends to be a month of watering and deadheading to keep everything looking and producing its best. Here’s to those long lazy days of summer – a few at least! – and here are some jobs for the days when you’re not feeling quite so lazy.
Plants that are flowering now will appreciate regular water and perhaps a liquid feed to keep them looking good. And keep deadheading to ensure the plant puts effort into producing new flowers rather than seeds. For example, sweet peas will reward you with more flowers the more you cut; if you missed a few blooms that are now turning into seed pods, snip them off to ensure more flowers.
If you are lucky enough to have lavender in your garden, now is the time to pick some of the stems for drying. Choose newly opened flowers and pick early in the morning if you can, then hang them in a cool dark place to dry.
Run a hoe around your beds and borders regularly as weeds will be quick to establish at this time of year. It’s good to get into the habit of watering hanging baskets and pots regularly as they will dry out much more quickly than anything in the ground. Unless we’ve had some really heavy rain, try to water in the morning or evening at least every other day; your hanging baskets will appreciate it if you can water daily.
Much like flowers, our cropping plants will enjoy regular water and food at this time of year too. Much of what we grow – tomatoes, beans, courgettes, soft fruit – are made up largely of water so you are likely to get much larger, juicier crops if you keep on top of it.
Watering is also an opportunity to regularly check for pests, like aphids or cabbage white caterpillars. Most of these can be dealt with through organic means, like squirting with a solution of washing-up liquid or garlic spray, but just picking them off with your fingers (if you’re not squeamish!) can be as effective as anything.
If you’re coming to the end of your broad beans, cut down the stalks but leave the roots in the soil if you can. As they decompose, they release valuable nitrogen into your soil, which will help feed next year’s crops.
If we have some really warm weather, our greenhouses can quickly become too hot at this time of year. Remembering to open the doors and vents on fine days will help improve air circulation and hopefully prevent things overheating. If you need additional cooling, try adding some fabric for shade or watering the floor.
Because it can get so warm and because they never get rained on, the plants in your greenhouse need extra attention when it comes to watering. Again, it’s best to water early in the morning or later in the evening, when conditions are a little cooler; this helps reduce evaporation, ensuring more liquid gets to the plants. If you’re going away and don’t have a friendly neighbour willing to pop in and water, think about installing an automatic watering system to take care of it for you.
If you had lovely blossom on your fruit trees this spring, you can hopefully now see small fruits forming in its place. It seems counter-intuitive but now is a good time to thin out some of those fruit, to ensure a better quality and size of crop overall. Reduce clusters of fruits down to the two or three healthiest looking, removing any that looked mis-formed or damaged (they can go on the compost). The fruits that remain are likely to grow bigger without being crowded by competition.
If you have just planted trees or shrubs, remember to keep watering them, too, while they become established. And July can be a good time to trim conifers, hedges and any topiary. It’s possible that some birds are still nesting so please check before you start but trimming for shape now can keep hedges looking good well into the autumn.
Don’t neglect your houseplants when it’s warm! Some would recommend a weekly feed at this time of year but certainly weekly watering and perhaps a spritz of mist to keep them moist and refreshed. On fine days, most houseplants will enjoy being moved outside for some fresh air and dappled sunshine. It’s a good idea to water them outside in the evening, allowing them to drip dry before you move them back indoors; water the whole plant, leaves as well, with a sprinkler rose as it helps to rinse the dust off.
If you are feeling green-fingered, now is a good time to take leaf cuttings from houseplants to grow more. Plants which propagate well from leaf cuttings include African violets, streptocarpus and Begonia rex. Gardeners’ World have a great guide on how to do this.
Finally, of course, don’t forget to spare a thought for our garden friends too. Keep bird baths and water features topped up to ensure insects, hedgehogs and birds all have plenty of ways to stay hydrated. Perhaps think about making a bee bath in a shallow dish too: more details on how to do that here.
More for your garden this July:
What to plant now – Hemerocallis and Echinacea
Preparing your garden if you’re going on holiday
How to care for your garden in dry weather
Your guide to keeping your summer bedding flowering for as long as possible
Our tips to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle