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National Trust shares 1 gardening mistake everyone makes in summer

If you avoid making this mistake, it could make things easier for you when it comes to gardening.

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By Alycia McNamara, News Reporter

A person watering plants

Over-watering plants is a common mistake Brits make over summer (Image: Getty Images)

Making this one mistake could be creating more gardening work for you in the long run. A well-maintained garden requires less constant attention, making it easier to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor space without constant troubleshooting.

But when things go wrong, it can lead to wasted time, money and effort, as plants can become unhealthy. And The National Trust have say one mistake many Brits make is over-watering.

A rainy garden

If you plan to water your garden, it's best to do it at night or in the morning if it hasn't rained (Image: Getty Images)

You may not need to water as much as you think, especially if the soil is healthy and the ground is covered by plants or mulches.

Give your plants a drink if they are starting to wilt but don't just water the surface of the soil as this will cause shallow rooting. It's best to water your garden first thing in the morning or in the evening, it says.

By doing things properly from the start, you’ll find that plants grow stronger and your gardening tasks become more manageable. 

When you work with nature instead of against it, the garden practically takes care of itself, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy your outdoor space.

But this isn’t the only tip the organisation has shared - it also said not deadheading flowering plants is another common mistake. The National Trust said it is important to deadhead flowering plants to keep them healthy and blooming for as long as possible, unless they have attractive seedheads or berries. 

A woman doing her gardening

Now is the perfect time to get outdoors and start preparing your garden for summer (Image: Getty Images)

You should always consider letting some flowers go to seed for interest and wildlife.

While it may seem easy to leave this job undone, by doing this regularly, you can keep your flowers looking fresher for longer.

You should also cut back your plants now before summer is in full swing.

Now is the perfect time to trim your perennials so that they flower for longer and keep their strength and vigour. 

By making these few small changes, you’ll be able to ensure your garden is in good shape for summer when you’ll be outdoors more enjoying the warmer weather. 

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