Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deadhead-for-blooms-galore">Deadhead for blooms galore</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210626.061.jpg" alt="Cosmos" class="wp-image-191772" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210626.061.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210626.061-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210626.061-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210626.061-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cosmos put on a fantastic show of flowers throughout the summer months</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you do one thing this month, make it deadheading. Snip off spent flowers on roses, dahlias and cosmos, and they’ll reward you with even more glorious blooms. Leave them be, and they’ll look a bit sad and start channelling energy into seed production instead. Just pinch or snip below the faded flower head, pop the kettle on, and revel in your plant-whisperer prowess. Do this once a week and you’ll have colour right into autumn. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raise-your-mower-blades">Raise your mower blades</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211323.578.jpg" alt="lawn with wild flowers" class="wp-image-191775" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211323.578.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211323.578-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211323.578-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211323.578-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Unless you&#8217;re expecting a visit from the Wimbledon grounds team, there&#8217;s really no need for lawn perfection. In dry weather, raise your mower blades – longer grass holds moisture better and won’t get scorched. A trim every couple of weeks will keep it tidy, and a sprinkle of peat-free compost will give it a little love but wildlife loves a bit of unruly lawn. Even a scruffy corner gives bees and butterflies a boost and makes you look like an eco-hero.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grow-your-own-tomatoes">Grow your own tomatoes  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210330.750-1000x667.jpg" alt="cherry tomatoes" class="wp-image-191771" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210330.750-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210330.750-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210330.750-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T210330.750.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cherry tomatoes are the fastest and easiest to grow</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s still time to grab a young plant from the garden centre (step away from the seed packets, it&#8217;s too late for those). Go for easy-peasy varieties like <em>Tumbling Tom</em> or <em>Red Cherry</em> – perfect for pots and hanging baskets. Stick them in a sunny spot, water regularly, and support taller ones with a cane. Once flowers appear, get busy with the tomato feed, and don’t forget to pinch out side shoots on cordon types.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cheat-a-bit">Cheat a bit </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211410.625.jpg" alt="Lobelia" class="wp-image-191776" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211410.625.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211410.625-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211410.625-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T211410.625-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Add some lobelia for a bit of pizazz to tired pots</figcaption></figure>



<p>July’s hectic, so let’s cheat a little. Stock up on vibrant summer bedding plants – petunias, pelargoniums and lobelia (trailing, if you’re feeling fancy). Pot them up in peat-free compost, pop them in sunny spots by the front door or patio, and bask in the glory of a 10 min garden transformation.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salad-leaves-for-lazy-gardeners">Salad leaves for lazy gardeners</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T212151.668.jpg" alt="grow your own lettuce" class="wp-image-191777" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T212151.668.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T212151.668-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T212151.668-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-design-2025-07-02T212151.668-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Level up your lunch with some garden fresh salad leaves</figcaption></figure>



<p>Mixed leaves are the gateway drug of the grow-your-own world. You can sow right through July and be picking your own in just a few weeks. Use a pot or window box, sprinkle seeds on damp compost, cover lightly, and water. Keep them somewhere sunny and bright. Boom – your own personal Waitrose salad bar, minus the plastic. Plus, it tastes <em>way</em> better.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jaime-s-favourite-local-garden-centres">Jaime&#8217;s favourite local garden centres</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://bamptongardenplants.co.uk/">Bampton Garden Plants</a>, West Oxfordshire – fab variety of plants and garden furniture.</li>



<li><a href="https://bunkershillgardenshop.co.uk/">Bunkers Hill Plant Nursery</a>, near Kidlington, Oxford – herbs galore and quirky plant finds.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.haddenhamgardencentre.co.uk/">Haddenham Garden Centre</a>, nr Aylesbury – brilliant houseplants, outdoor options and bangin’ cake.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.swallowsnursery.co.uk/">Swallows Nursery &amp; Gardens</a>, Mixbury, North Oxfordshire – six show gardens to inspire your own Eden.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1246" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-1000-x-1246-px.jpg" alt="Jaime Johson, image rights Jaime Johnson" class="wp-image-191780" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-1000-x-1246-px.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-1000-x-1246-px-642x800.jpg 642w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-1000-x-1246-px-803x1000.jpg 803w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Untitled-1000-x-1246-px-321x400.jpg 321w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Jaime Johnson is a teacher, gardener and outdoor educator based in West Oxfordshire. Find her over on insta <a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenmamauk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@greenmamauk</a> for more gardening inspo, tips plus nature-friendly ideas for gardening with kids.</em></p>


How to cheat a glorious garden this July

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