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Seems like spring never lasts long enough, with its cool air and refreshing showers. But, before we know it, spring gives way to the hot, dry, days of summer. Sometimes too hot and too dry, which can play havoc with our new plantings and landscaping projects. But if you prepare your beds properly and use the right plants, you can still maintain a beautiful landscape through a hot summer with a minimum of care.
Mulching is also very important following any planting project. Mulch helps maintain soil moisture and temperature. Do not apply mulch any thicker than about 3 or 4 inches. Heavier applications of mulch can actually repel water if allowed to dry out and can also smother the plants. Your choice of plants is another consideration. Assess your site thoroughly before planting. Determine sun and wind exposure. Use only plants suited for a particular type of environment. A rhododendron planted in a hot, dry area will likely die within 2 years, but I see it happening all the time. Even with proper preparation and mulching, plants can still suffer once temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Many plants will stop blooming and some will wilt even when watered. The wilting occurs because the plant is transpiring more water than its root sytem can absorb.Plants that you commonly see wilting during hot weather are hydrangeas, impatiens, and ligularia. Lawns can become quite unsightly during periods of heat and drought too. Cool season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, turn brown and become dormant when heat waves occur. Warm season grasses like Zoysia fare much better. Keeping a cool season lawn green during droughty weather requires careful watering. If rain has not occurred in over a week, one must water deeply. I like to water in the early morning as opposed to the evening. This gives the lawn time to dry which helps prevent disease. But even with all the watering we may do, nothing will ever take the place of a good rainshower.
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