Summer Gardening

Summer is offical now, and in my part of the country we have already been having plus 90 degree temperatures with high humidity. This kind of weather is pretty uncomfortable for most of us, but what about our plants?

Some plants like Coreopsis thrive in the heat, while others like the old fashioned bleeding hearts die back and go dormant. Many plants, especially annuals, will cease to bloom when temperatures crest the 90 degree mark, though plant breeders have been introducing more heat tolerant varieties over the years.

So what can you do to help your plants and lawns survive and thrive in summer heat?

Water. That seems like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised at the number of people who are just too busy to think about watering. People often ask "Is evening the best time to water?" My answer to that is "no,watering after dark can make lawns and plants more susceptible to certain fungus diseases." Its usually best to water early in the morning since this allows the plants plenty of time to dry through the day. But during times of high heat and drought, I think anytime you find the time to water is good.

When you water, soak your plants and lawn deeply and use the proper type of watering implement. Typical hose nozzles are not very effective at soaking lawns and plants. These nozzles are good for cooling plants off, but that is about it. Purchase a watering wand with a good sprinkling head. These wands will deliver the proper amount of water in a shorter time than most other nozzles. Try not to water more than weekly, otherwise you could discourage your plants from rooting deeply into the soil. Obviously, shallow rooted plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, etc will have to be watered more often.

Mulch. Mulch is very important and serves several functions in the landscape. Mulch helps conserve soil moisture and helps regulate soil temperatures. Mulch also adds organic matter to the soil as well as provide aesthetic benefits. There are many types of materials to use as mulch but wood mulches are probably the most popular and readily available. Try to maintain a layer of mulch not deeper than 3 inches. Applying more than 3 inches of mulch can reduce the oxygen level in the soil and can harm plants.

Proper plant siting. Keep your plant's needs in mind and if it is supposed to be planted in partial shade, don't plant it in a full sun area. I know this sounds obvious too, but I often see plants such as pachysandra (which really do best in partial shade)placed in full sun. Improper siting stresses plants and makes them more susceptible to insects and disease.

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