Gardeners urged to avoid weeding their gardens this week for this important reason – leave your flower beds and lawns alone

by Furnishly | Aug 12, 2026 | Design Inspiration

During a heatwave, your garden is under a lot of strain to stay alive, and if weeds are currently thriving in yours, taking resources from your plants, it can be tempting to start weeding.

However, before you go about the process of weeding your garden, experts want you to read this first. While it is possible to weed during a heatwave, it’s not always the best idea – and sometimes does more harm than good.

We all want a weed-free garden, but weeding during a period of hot, dry weather can be a big mistake. Here’s everything you need to know.

Should you weed a lawn during a heatwave?

Unfortunately, there’s not a straight answer as to whether you should weed your garden during a heatwave. While weeds do compete with your plants for nutrients and water, which can cause your already struggling plants to suffer more, weeding can also put unnecessary stress on your garden.

‘This is a question I get asked a lot during hot weather, and my advice is not to rush out and start weeding in the middle of a heatwave. While weeds do compete with your plants for water and nutrients, extreme temperatures can put added stress on both the garden and the gardener,’ comments Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.

‘One of the biggest risks is disturbing dry soil. When you expose the soil surface, moisture can evaporate more quickly, which isn’t ideal when plants are already coping with hot conditions. Pulling out larger weeds can also disturb nearby roots that are trying to access what little moisture is available.’

Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture, agrees, noting that some weeds can even serve as a canopy, shading plants during periods of extreme heat.

‘The leafy canopy created by some weeds can act like a natural sun shield for the ground, keeping roots cool,’ he says. ‘Instead, it is better to cut taller weeds at the base, and then remove the roots during cooler weather.’

When to weed a garden

If you’re desperate to weed your garden this week, Luke does say it’s okay to do so in moderation.

‘I don’t avoid weeding altogether during a heatwave, but I am much more selective about when I do it. I tend to weed early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler, rather than working through the hottest part of the day,’ he says.

‘From a practical point of view, there’s also the risk of overdoing it yourself. Gardening in high temperatures can be surprisingly exhausting, so I always keep jobs short, stay hydrated and save the heavier tasks for cooler days.’

However, for the best results, and least risk of damage to your garden, your best bet is waiting for rain.

‘The best time for weeding is usually just after rain or watering, as the damp soil will reduce the amount of effort needed to remove weeds from the soil. However, avoid pulling weeds if the ground is too wet, as this can affect soil health. Weeding in the morning is better, as temperatures will be much cooler and pulled weeds are less likely to drop seeds immediately,’ says Richard.

Garden weeding essentials

With rain forcasted (fingers crossed) around parts of the country at the end of the week, here are the weeding essentials you need for when the ground is moist again.

While the temperatures soar, you should worry less about the weeds in your garden and more about ensuring you and your plants are staying cool and hydrated.

Martin and Shirlie Kemp have just proved pumpkin archways are the ‘it’ feature of any autumn garden – how to recreate the impressive vertical display

by Furnishly | Aug 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Ever since I spotted Shirlie and Martin Kemp’s stunning pumpkin archway on Instagram, I’ve been so excited for Autumn. So, I’ve asked gardening experts how we can get the look, too.

Pumpkins are the hallmark of any autumn decorating idea, and you can’t really get any more authentic than growing your own pumpkins just in time for cosy soup season. Plus, they’re also a vegetable you can grow vertically, hence why pumpkin arches are typically spotted in small gardens and allotments.

The Kemps frequently share glimpses into their stunning Hertfordshire garden, and their pumpkin archway is the latest piece of garden inspo to make the grid. If you’re also fed up with the constant heat and are looking forward to the season ahead, read on to find out how you can create a statement archway, too.

Pumpkin archways have become increasingly popular in recent years. It was only this time last year when Stacey Solomon’s pumpkin doorscape completely blew us away. Martin and Shirlie’s is a little more subtle than hers, but I’d argue it is more attainable.

Celebrity couple Martin and Shirlie Kemp’s garden is truly stunning. Uploading updates to their home Instagram account @maisonnumber9, their garden has somehow thrived despite the summer’s baking heatwaves.

And it’s clear they’ve been thinking ahead, too, if their pumpkin arch is anything to go by. Using a sturdy arch structure, like this £9.99 metal trellis from B&Q, they’ve trained their pumpkin to grow vertically over its support. It may sound complicated, but it’s actually a very well-known small garden idea, and one you can achieve quite easily with the right technique.

How to make a pumpkin arch

However, don’t expect to grow a pumpkin arch this year if you haven’t planted any yet. The best time to plant pumpkins for a Halloween harvest is mid-April to May. But if you do hope to recreate Martin and Shirlie’s arch, now is a good time to start prepping.

‘I can completely understand why pumpkin arches have become so popular in recent years. They transform a practical crop into something really eye-catching, creating a beautiful feature in the garden while making the most of the space available. There’s something quite magical about walking beneath a canopy of large leaves and hanging pumpkins, and they offer that perfect blend of ornamental and edible gardening,’ comments Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.

‘For gardeners thinking ahead, August is a great time to prepare the area where you plan to grow a pumpkin arch next year. I’d focus on improving the soil with plenty of organic matter, as pumpkins are hungry plants that thrive in rich, fertile conditions. If you already have pumpkins growing, August is the time to keep training the vines, watering consistently and encouraging healthy growth.’

As Luke mentions, if you do have pumpkins growing right now, you can start training the vines and begin to attain your archway. For this, you’ll need some cable ties (like £5.99 green cable ties from Amazon) to help keep the vines in place.

When it comes to training pumpkins up an arch or trellis, I find it’s best to start while the vines are still young and flexible. I gently weave the stems through the structure as they grow, helping them find the direction I want them to take. It’s important not to rush or force the stems, as they can be surprisingly fragile. Once they’re established, they tend to continue climbing quite happily on their own,’ says Luke.

Then, it’s all about ensuring your pumpkin is well supported to reduce pressure on the vines. In fact, a few comments in Kemp’s comment section suggest using old tights to support the fruit – and it turns out to be a really handy tip!

‘Pumpkins don’t naturally climb like some other vines, so you’ll need to guide the main stems upwards as they grow and loosely tie them to the arch using soft garden ties or strips of fabric. Avoid tying too tightly because the stems will thicken as they mature,’ says Dr Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema.

‘Once the pumpkins start forming, support the fruit with slings made from old tights, netting or fabric bags to take the pressure off the vines. The aim isn’t to force the plant into a perfect shape, but to guide it upwards while allowing it to grow naturally. With regular checks and support, the arch will gradually become covered with foliage and hanging fruit.

What you need

A pumpkin arch can add some extra height and structure to your garden while taking up minimal planting space. Will you be giving it a try?

‘Wildlife wineries’ are the breakout trend gardeners are using to keep garden birds hydrated in August – this £15 shortcut means even tiny spaces can join in

by Furnishly | Aug 5, 2026 | Design Inspiration

From hydration stations, bird bars and even wildlife wineries, there are plenty of cutesy names to call the bird baths we set up for wildlife to bathe, drink and play in during summer. However, if you have a tiny garden or balcony, it might feel like you can’t join in.

Luckily, I’m here to tell you the opposite. Corner bird baths are the space-saving solution that means even the smallest of outdoor spaces can attract birds via their own wildlife wineries (or whatever your preferred name is!).

Silly names aside, during periods of hot weather and drought, it’s incredibly important to leave water out for birds and other wildlife to help them stay healthy and hydrated. Here’s why a corner bird bath can be a great option if you’re short on space.

Just because you have a small garden, it doesn’t mean you can’t embrace wildlife garden ideas. Leaving out water is essential during summer for birds, bees, insects and other wildlife – especially when there hasn’t been much rainfall.

This summer, wildlife charities, experts and social media have been encouraging gardeners to set up hydration stations for birds and other wildlife during a heatwave. And with it, I’ve seen a host of adorable names, such as pollinator pitstops, bee bars and now wildlife wineries. While they all mean the same thing, they aim to encourage us to help wildlife by providing fresh water.

If you want to support birds in hot weather, offering a fresh water supply can be a real help when supplies are scarce in nature. You will need to change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh and free from algae and mosquitoes, but your local birds will really benefit from having somewhere to wash, bathe and space.

If you lack the space for a free-standing bird bath, a corner bath can come in handy. As the name suggests, a corner bird bath attaches to a fence post or corner, taking up minimal space in your garden

Then, you can fill it with either water or bird food to create an integrated feeding station or bird bath. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when leaving water out for wildlife is assuming you need a large vessel. Even a small dish of water can make a big difference for wildlife. Just remember, if you want bees to also enjoy your wildlife winery, add some pebbles to your dish so they have somewhere to land and prevent drowning.

Alternatively, a micro pond can be a great choice for courtyards and patios as you can create a stunning water feature that wildlife will love.

Small wildlife garden essentials

Just because you have a small garden, it doesn’t mean you can’t make into a haven for wildlife.

Gardeners warned to avoid this one lawn care job during a heatwave or risk destroying their grass – it sounds like a good idea, but it’s best avoided

by Furnishly | Aug 3, 2026 | Design Inspiration

A lawn expert is warning against fertilising your grass during a heatwave, stating that it will do far more damage than good.

With drought declared across England and Wales, there are undoubtedly a lot of dry, patchy lawns that have been struggling with the relentless heat. And while we all want to enlist the best August lawn care tips to restore our grass to its former glory. But fertilising your lawn is one task you must avoid during a heatwave.

You may assume giving your grass a good feed this month will help give it a boost. That is wrong; fertilising your lawn now can stress your grass even more, making it take even longer to recover.

Why can’t your fertilise a lawn during a heatwave?

During a heatwave or drought conditions, your grass is essentially in survival mode and adding fertiliser can put an unnecessary strain on your lawn, making it a garden job you should never do in a heatwave.

‘Fertilising a lawn with a granular feed during a heatwave is one of the quickest ways to make a lawn worse, not better,’ explains Matt J Adams, founder and lead gardener at The Relentless Gardener.

‘It can be tempting to feed your lawn when it starts looking brown or patchy, as many gardeners assume it simply needs a boost of nutrients to green up again. In reality, the grass is in survival mode, and applying fertilisers to dry, stressed turf can scorch the blades, placing even more pressure on the roots and delaying recovery.

Instead, if you want to protect your lawn in a heatwave, you should water it deeply once or twice a week and early in the morning. You could also consider using a wetting agent (£19.99, B&Q), which aids your lawn in absorbing water and reduces runoff. Pros also recommend raising your mower blades to leave your grass a bit longer. This helps shade the soil and helps it retain moisture.

‘Grass going brown during a prolonged dry spell is one of the most misunderstood things in lawn care. What you’re actually seeing is dormancy: the grass basically going into survival mode, which to the eye looks like putting all its energy into protecting the root, not a shiny green grass blade,’ adds Ashleigh Bradshaw, Lawn Specialist at Hayter.

‘The lawn will very likely recover once regular rainfall returns, often within a few weeks. The danger is overreacting. Heavy watering, feeding and scarifying during active dormancy tends to do more damage than the drought itself.’

When should you fertilise a lawn?

Of course, lawns do benefit from feeding; you just need to know when to fertilise a lawn. Matt says to hold your horses until the weather has cooled down. Most experts recommend feeding your lawn once in spring and once in autumn.

‘The best time to fertilise is once the hot weather has passed, temperatures have cooled, and ideally after rainfall has returned so the lawn is actively growing again. Spring is the ideal time to encourage new growth, while a slow nitrogen-releasing feed can also help replenish nutrients after a dry spell, provided the soil is no longer extremely dry. The Relentless Gardener’s Summer Liquid Lawn Feed is specially designed to be applied during warmer weather but can only be used if the lawn is not already brown,’ he says.

You’re doubling the number of ants in your garden by falling for this pest deterrent mistake, warn experts

by Furnishly | Aug 1, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you thought destroying an ant’s nest in your garden was the swiftest and most direct route to rid your garden of ants, according to pest experts, you could actually be making the problem worse.

If your garden has been overrun this summer, it’s only natural that you want to know how to get rid of ants. But, a little like cutting off the head of a hydra, when you remove one ant’s nest, another will crop up in its place.

So, before you go ahead and destroy a nest, this is everything the experts want you to know first.

Does destroying an ant’s nest make the problem worse?

The main reason ants will move into the site of an old nest is because they are highly territorial, and if the area has the perfect homebuilding conditions and food supplies, it’s incredibly attractive for ants.

‘Destroying a nest without killing the queen achieves very little in the long term. Worker ants will regroup, the queen will relocate, and a new nest will be established nearby, often within days. In some cases, disrupting a large established colony can cause it to split into multiple satellite nests, which means you can end up with more ant activity across a wider area than you started with. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when dealing with garden ants,’ explains Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management.

‘If the original colony has been properly eliminated, the territory will not go unclaimed for long. Ant colonies are highly territorial, but if a space becomes available, neighbouring colonies will expand into it. In a garden with good foraging conditions, some level of ant presence is essentially inevitable. The goal is management rather than eradication.’

While you can use scents to deter ants or use natural methods like diatomaceous earth to keep them away from your home, remember that ants are a natural part of any garden ecosystem and therefore don’t necessarily need removing.

‘Ants are a natural part of the garden ecosystem and, in many cases, don’t require control unless they are becoming a nuisance or contributing to problems elsewhere, such as repeatedly entering the home. Before considering treatment, it’s worth assessing whether the ants are actually causing an issue. If they are, the focus should be on locating and treating the source of the colony rather than only dealing with the ants that are visible,’ says Daniel Steward, Managing Director at Shield Pest Control.

‘The most effective long-term approach is to identify and deal with the nest itself while also removing whatever is attracting the ants to the area. Natural deterrents such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil or diluted white vinegar can help disrupt pheromone trails and discourage ants from returning to treated areas, although they require regular reapplication and are not permanent solutions.

‘Nematodes are sometimes suggested as a biological control method, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the ant species and environmental conditions. For established infestations, targeted treatment of the colony is generally more reliable than relying on nematodes alone.’

Unless they’re genuinely causing problems in your home, ants don’t need to be removed from a garden. If you do find yourself with a pest problem, it’s best to consult the professionals first.