Top gardening tips

Wednesday, 18 August 2021 by Vision Direct

Woman wearing apron looking after plants in the garden

Summer is here, the sun is shining and it's the perfect time of the year to take better care of our plants. From expansive lawns and outdoor spaces to compact vegetable gardens and allotments: gardening can work wonders on your wellbeing, especially after lockdown and during the pandemic. It's not just that being around nature is relaxing: gardens can be places where our efforts can result in a real sense of achievement.

Knowing how to best look after your garden throughout the growing season can be a bit overwhelming: but fear not, we've got some top-tips on keeping your garden thriving and your eyesight clear, with contact lenses this summer.

Garden with daily lenses

Repotting small plant in garden

So, you've taken the shovel or trowel out of the shed, you've got your gloves and your biggest sunhat on and you're ready to go - wouldn't it be great to just focus on your gardening with clear vision and no interruptions? Wearing your contact lenses while looking after your plants can give you the freedom you need to enjoy the sun in your shades. Those of us living with presbyopia, or another eye condition, know all too well that switching different pairs of glasses can be inconvenient at the best of times, let alone when your hands are covered in soil.

Daily disposable lenses are undoubtedly the most gardening-friendly wearing pattern out there given that they're ultra-breathable, majorly hydrating and super-comfortable. Plus, if they get dirty, you can pop them out and put in a fresh pair (with clean hands!) on the spot. Unlike two-weeklies or monthlies, which require a cleaning and storing routine, dailies are really low maintenance. Opting for dailies, with UV protection also means that you get extra protection against harmful rays, along with your sunglasses and hat.

This summer make sure to add some eye care essentials to your gardening kit, so you can upgrade your green fingers, hassle-free. We're talking about a bottle of eye drops - ideal for itchy, irritated or dry eyes, especially during hay fever season. everclear Eye Drops are highly recommended by our in-house eye care professionals, as they're gentle yet effective, and can ensure soothing relief in a flash.

Our Vision Direct Soap Sheets are excellent for swiftly cleaning your hands when you're out in your garden or allotment before applying or removing your lenses. Plus, our compact LED Mirror can help make the whole process a breeze. A nifty, versatile Vision Direct Snood will never go amiss either - it works perfectly as a face covering, headband, wristband or bandana to keep you cool and provide protection against the sun and pollen.

Try everclear ELITE

everclear ELITE

Exclusive to Vision Direct, everclear ELITE contact lenses are incredibly comfy and convenient, with an ultra-hydrating formula perfect for those with dry eyes, locking in moisture throughout your gardening sessions. These daily disposable lenses are made with a silicone hydrogel material, ensuring your eyes stay and look healthy for up to 12 hours, free from irritations and itchiness. If a lens does get dirty, you can take it out, throw it away, and pop in a fresh one, easy-peasy. Plus, UV blocking offers an extra layer of defence against harmful sun rays.

Discover everclear ELITE

6 of the best gardening tips

Keep your garden, allotment or house plants thriving this summer with these easy steps:

Potted herb plants on windowsill
  1. Repot and refresh
    Buying herb plants is a good way to be sustainable, but ever wonder why they tend to shrivel up and die on you after a day or so? The reason they struggle to survive is that they run out of space, soil and nutrients - but it's nothing a bit of re-potting wouldn't fix. Just dig up a small space in your garden or allotment (or grab a pot, if you'd rather keep them on your windowsill), fill it midway with soil, make a little dent with your hands and pop in your new plant. Fill up with a little more soil and pat it down - you're all set for a summer full of delicious fresh herbs.
  2. Water away
    Keeping the soil moist through the warm summer months will help keep the ambient temperatures around the roots lower. The water will constantly be evaporating, reducing the danger of mould and mildew across the soil surface, giving your plants a healthy home.
  3. Freshen up
    Colder days have taken their toll on your soil: the rain will have condensed it and washed away valuable nutrients. Be sure to top it up with compost and add some fertiliser and mulch, to make sure it's got all the nutrients it needs to maintain plant health.
  4. Out with the old
    Yay - your plants made it through the colder winter months! To give them a better chance at blooming again this summer, you'll need to prune them, trimming any deadheads. Try to cut back any overhanging branches or foliage on trees too, to let some more light into your plants.
  5. In with the new
    Once you've finished tidying up, it's time to start planning your new bulb and seed additions. During the summer, you could add flowering plants, such as pansies or tulips for a nice flash of colour, or even eye health-boosting veggies and fruits, including kale, aubergines, radishes, tomatoes and berries (they'll be fresher than the grocery store!). Need inspiration if it's your first time? Just visit your local garden centre, pick up some seed packets or find out what veg or the best plants you can grow. Even if you have a small garden, there's still a way you can make it work.
  6. Clean the slate
    The area surrounding your flower beds has no doubt taken a battering over the colder months. So, get those gloves on, take the rake out of the shed, grab your water hose and give it a good summer clean, before bringing out the garden furniture for a BBQ or picnic.
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