Gardening guru reveals the dreaded garden tasks people hate and often get wrong - here's how to tackle them this summer, from eliminating pests to keeping a pristine lawn

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreEveryone lucky enough to have a garden is sure to want a lush yard to enjoy not just in summer, but all year round. However, the constant upkeep can turn into something even the greenest of thumbs dread - especially throughout a heatwave. Thankfully, a gardening guru has revealed how to make the most hated garden tasks a lot easier from weeding and mowing to pest control and lawn maintenance. Trex outdoor living expert Simon Parry shared his simple tips and tricks to make summer garden tasks feel like less of a laborious chore.When it comes to cleaning, Simon said a little goes a long way, as a quick sweep can prevent stains and mould which can be hard - and costly - to remove. He said regular lawn trimmings is the only way to ensure healthy grass but a good quality mower can make the job easier. Unwanted pests and weeds can be difficult to keep at bay as they thrive in balmy, summer conditions.Simon offered his 'simple, quick fixes' worth doing adding to your July garden tasks to do list to give you less work in the long run including tackling weeds from their roots and sweeping away ant mounds. A garden guru has revealed how to tackle the most hated gardening tasks this summer (stock image)1. WEEDING'Weeds are the ‘unloved flowers’ of our gardens that love to come back unannounced,' Simon told the Daily Mail. 'They are resilient survivors that can quickly spread and damage a garden’s health by hogging resources. 'This makes weeding a laborious and often uncomfortable task. But there are ways you can set yourself up for success.'He suggested investing in a kneeling matt so you don't end up with a crooked back from craning over on the ground. 'A strong trowel, fork or Hori Hori (a Japanese gardening knife), will also make weeding easier because it extracts the plant from their roots,' Simon explained. 'A bad gardening tool will take longer to use and increase your physical strain.' Cutting out the entire root system for stubborn weeds like nettles and brambles will decrease the chance of them returning. Simon added wearing garden gloves is a must to avoid any injuries from thorns or stings. 'Putting on some headphones to catch up with your favourite podcast or music artist while you’re weeding is a tip to help make the time go faster,' he added. 2. REMOVING IVY 'Removing out of control ivy can be one of the most difficult garden jobs to complete,' Simon said.'A stubborn climber that grips tight to surfaces, it grows quickly and grows roots along its stem to attach itself to surfaces.'There's no easy way to get rid of or tame unruly ivy once it's established but Simon said you can - and should - protect yourself while carrying out the task.'Ivy also requires care when being removed - heavy-duty gloves should be worn to avoid getting a skin rash,' he said. 'Ivy traps dust and dirt, so wear full-coverage protective clothing when removing.'3. RAKING LEAVES'If you’re lucky enough to have trees in or around your garden, the spring and summer months are spent enjoying a sea of beautiful green leaves,' Simon said. 'But come autumn, raking up the leaves that fall will become an arduous task.'He said leaving leaves on the lawn over winter can damage the grass so it's best to clear them as they fall rather than wait for a huge pile to accumulate. 'Keeping on top of them weekly, will save you time in the future and avoid a future chore if the grass got damaged.' the gardening pro said. Simon recommended using a hand blower or a simple plastic lawn rake to pile the leaves together then leaf grabbers and a bulk bag for disposal. He added that fallen leaves also make great compost material. 4. MANAGING PESTS'Ants and slugs are notorious for negatively affecting gardens and who wants to spend their summer dealing with creepy crawlies?' Simon asked. Appearing in the summertime, ants build mounds which create holes and uneven surfaces allowing weeds to grow and can disturb the roots of your plants. Slugs are another common summer pest and will devour younger plants leaving large holes in leaves. 'There are simple quick fixes though! Use a broom on a dry day to sweep away the soil mounds above nests,' Simon said.'Slug pellets have negative impacts on other garden wildlife, so should be avoided. 'The RHS recommends, choosing plants that are less palatable to slugs, for example, plants with thick or waxy leaves and raking over the soil. This will expose the slug eggs to predators.'5. MAINTAINING YOUR LAWNKeeping grass happy and thriving isn't an easy feat in hotter temperatures however it will save you from having to replace your lawn down the line. 'Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid cutting your lawn because regular cuts with a raised blade height will encourage growth,' Simon said.'However, keeping the lawn slightly longer allows the grass to retain moisture.' He added that researching and getting yourself the best lawn mower you can afford can make a world of difference. 'A poor-quality mower with dull blades will leave your lawn frayed and uneven,' he said. 7. SUMMER WATERING Gardeners shouldn't need to risk heatstroke or sunburn making sure their plants and grass aren't thirsty or dried out on scorching summer days. 'The ongoing UK heatwave has made maintaining gardens extremely difficult because plants are struggling to cope with the weather,' Simon said. 'The heat is drying them out, leaving watering more prominent and therefore more work, disheartening and repetitive.'Instead, Simon said to keep yourself cool and your garden watered by giving everything a drink before the heat peaks. He said sunrise and sunset are great times to get the hose out and to move potted plants in the shade. If you're worried about watering your garden amid the UK's new hosepipe ban, read a garden design expert's tips for keeping your garden looking its best during hot, dry weather.