Summer Garden Care Made Easy with Husqvarna Tips
As temperatures rise and gardens burst into life, keeping outdoor spaces tidy and thriving becomes a seasonal priority. From residential gardens to hotel grounds and game lodges, managing rapid growth during the summer months is essential for healthy, visually appealing green spaces.
Brad Barthorpe, Sales Manager – Distributors Africa for Husqvarna South Africa and an avid gardener, shares practical advice for maintaining gardens efficiently throughout the season.
Cleaning and Maintenance: After the rainy season, patios, driveways, flowerpots and garden furniture often accumulate dirt, algae, and debris. A pressure washer with a fan nozzle can remove buildup effectively, while careful handling protects delicate surfaces.
Watering Wisely: Barthorpe advises watering plants early in the morning or late afternoon to ensure they absorb enough moisture before the heat intensifies. Regular deep watering two to three times a week, except during rain, encourages strong root growth and helps plants withstand dry spells.
Targeted Spraying: Using a sprayer simplifies pest control and nutrient application, especially in hard-to-reach areas like raised beds and the edges of pots. Working during cooler periods of the day reduces stress on plants and ensures healthier growth.
Cutting and Trimming: Overgrown grass and weeds can be managed with a combi brushcutter, which also allows for edging and hedge trimming. Meanwhile, thinning dense shrubs improves airflow and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of fungal growth. Barthorpe emphasises checking for nesting birds or small animals before trimming to protect local wildlife.
Planting and Mulching: For new plantings, hardy indigenous varieties are recommended, as they require less care and attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and sunbirds. Mulching with compost, bark, leaves, or grass clippings keeps soil cool, retains moisture, and controls weeds, while gradually nourishing plants. Care should be taken to keep mulch slightly away from stems to prevent rot.
“Summer gardening isn’t about doing everything at once; it’s about doing the right things consistently,” says Barthorpe. “Stick to a routine, use the right tools, and your garden will reward you with colour, life, and fragrance all season.”
Husqvarna’s range of outdoor equipment, including robotic mowers, chainsaws, and trimmers, is designed to make garden maintenance easier and more efficient. For more information, visit www.husqvarna.co.zm.
