Mid summer and the garden is at its most colourful. The frantic rush of growth has gone and the plants develop into mature shapes and colours. This is the gardening year's peak of achievement

Borders

Prune late spring and early summer flowering shrubs immediately after flowering to promote new growth
Dead head Sweet Peas to increase the flowering season. Cut them first thing in the morning to enjoy their heady fragrance indoors.
Deadhead Roses and feed regularly
Spray Roses to control black spot, mildew and aphids
Water hanging baskets and containers at least once a day and feed once a week, dead head regularly to prolong flowering.
Feed perennials and shrubs with a granular fertiliser and hoe into the soil
Remove faded flowers on Delphiniums and Lupins. Cut back stems to ground level to encourage a second flush
Trim spring flowering heathers to remove flower heads and to keep in shape
Tie in and train new growth on climbing and rambling Roses
Water newly planted shrubs and perennials in dry conditions
Semi-ripe cuttings can now be taken from shrubs and rooted in a cold frame

Fruit and Vegetables

Check nets on fruit cages to make sure that they have not moved or been damaged
Strawberry runners can be pegged down into soil or pots for new plants next year.
Mulch Rhubarb plants and remove flower spikes
Remove straw from under Strawberries that have finished fruiting
Pick Raspberries regularly, (Freeze straight from picking and save for Christmas like I did - a lovely surprise).
Harvest early potatoes (Bring on the Mint !!)
Harvest globe artichokes
Earth up main crop potatoes to give an increased yield - Keep watered
Keep onions well watered to maximise yield
Continue to sow salad crops directly into the ground.
Water all veg if necessary.

Lawns

Continue to mow grass raising the height of cut in dry weather
Water in dry spells, spot weed if necessary.

Greenhouse

Spray Peaches and Nectarines every day with tepid water
Use biological control where pests are a problem
Ensure that all vents are working and close them on cool evenings
Soak the floor morning and evening to keep up humidity
Keep greenhouse clean and tidy to prevent disease.

Ponds

Continue to feed pond fish
Remove any plant material that has fallen into the pond to prevent the build up of disease

General Tasks

Clean paving or slabs with an algicide
Gaps in borders can be filled with pots from your Garden Centre  
Feed the garden using general purpose

Plants which are at their best in July

Achillea (Yarrow)
English Roses
Clematis e.g. Marie Boisselot
Sweet Peas  
Deschampsia (Hair Grass)
Ferns
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Hemerocallis (Day Lily)
Tropaeolum speciosum (Flame Creeper)
Penstemons