The Garden Minute: Worms, Pruning Windows & a Wee-ly Weird Fertilizer

☀️ Happy Friday Gardeners. The weekend is beckoning. Let's ease in with a little gardening goodness.

Jul 11, 2025

A round-up of tips, tricks and news snippets on all things garden-related.

👨‍🌾 The clever gardening hack Alan Titchmarsh still uses after 50 years

🧻 Is urine the ultimate organic plant fertilizer? The science says yes – here's how it can transform your flowerbeds (for free)

🪱 Pot-plant trade is ‘hitchhiker pathway’ for invasive flatworms, say UK experts

🐦‍⬛ Gardeners urged to take immediate action if they see crows this summer

✂️ Prune these plants in July before it is too late – 7 flowers and shrubs you must trim now before the midsummer pruning window ends

Plant Offer: Save 40% on lavender plants at LavenderWorld. The discount code is july40.

🗒️ If you do one thing this weekend …

Timely tasks for every stage of the season

The week began with soggy soil and the soft patter of rain, but it looks like we’re heading straight back into another heatwave—and the garden’s feeling it already. It’s had me thinking more seriously about shade—not just for the plants and wildlife, but for myself too!

I’ve started looking at ways to create a few cooler corners in the garden: maybe a bit of climber-covered trellis, or even rigging up some fabric for dappled shade over the seating area. It doesn’t take much to make a little refuge from the sun, and I’d love to be able to sit out with a book without melting.

The birds and insects seem to be seeking out the shady spots too, so I’m trying to make sure there’s still water available and a few leafy hideaways left undisturbed. It’s a reminder that a little wildness goes a long way in keeping a garden balanced and welcoming.

Tip of the Week: If you're thinking about shade, try adding a few large pots with tall plants like grasses or sunflowers—they’ll cast gentle shade, and you can move them around as needed. Even a simple parasol or old sheet can give wildlife (and you!) a break from the midday sun.

Are you planning any shady nooks or cooling strategies in your garden this summer?

🗺️ Let’s explore …

A spotlight on spectacular gardens

Ventnor Botanic Garden

Ventnor Botanic Garden, located on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, benefits from a unique Gulf Stream-influenced microclimate. Sheltered from prevailing winds and rarely experiencing frost, it supports an impressive range of plant collections from around the world.

Following storm damage in 1987, the garden underwent a significant replanting led by then-curator Simon Goodenough. His vision introduced many of the global species that are now reaching maturity and contributing to the garden’s character.

The landscape evokes a Mediterranean ‘wild garden’ feel, featuring highlights such as some of the country’s oldest Trachycarpus fortunei, alongside thriving populations of Echium wildpretii and Echium pininana. These echiums have hybridised and naturalised, creating a dramatic display that peaks from late June through July.