Gardening expert Ish has shared a simple three-step method to keep flowers blooming repeatedly throughout the summer. In a recent TikTok video, Ish explained: “If you want to keep your flowers going all the way through summer, then there’s three important things that you need to do.”
Deadheading Spent Blooms
The first essential task is deadheading—removing faded flowers to redirect the plant's energy from producing sideshoots to creating more blooms on existing stems. Ish advises gardeners to snip the flowerhead at the base of the stem using secateurs rather than simply pinching off the top. “Don’t just pick off the top, it doesn’t do much at all,” he said. “That will preserve all of the energy, instead of going to the stem, it will now focus on making a brand new flower. So it’s not wasted.”
Mulching to Retain Moisture
The second step is ensuring flowers are well-watered, especially during hot weather. To help retain moisture, Ish recommends adding a layer of coir mulch to the top of the soil around the base of each plant. This prevents water from reflecting the sun’s rays and evaporating before it can seep into the soil.
Feeding with Tomato Feed
Finally, regular feeding is crucial. Ish’s secret is using tomato feed, which is rich in potassium and phosphorus. “The reason I do is because it’s high in potassium and potash, which most flower feeds are, and they absolutely love it,” he said. Applying tomato feed every couple of weeks encourages larger and more vibrant flowers. Ish promises the results are “amazing”.
By following these three tasks—deadheading, mulching, and feeding with tomato feed—gardeners can enjoy a colourful display all season long.
