Summer can play havoc on not just humans but also on the tender plants. They need the utmost care to survive successfully through the summer. Plants face dehydration and other side effects of heat. Here are few tips to keep your garden looking great this summer.
1. Watering:
Plants need more water in summer, since the humidity in the air is quite low during this period. Remember to water them regularly but efficiently. Plants growing on pots, hanging baskets need more care since they are unable to grow deep in the earth in search of water. Newly potted plants, green leafy vegetables and perennials also need diligent care and attention. One way to decide when to water the plant is to take a little soil sample from the pot/zone and crush it to make a small ball. If the soil holds, then it has sufficient water. If the ball crumbles, you must water it immediately. Sprinklers, trickle or porous hoses are some efficient ways to water the plants. Watering the plants early morning avoids quick evaporation.
2. Weeding:
Weeds can damage and reduce the yield of plants. Control them with mulching, herbicides, fungicides or hand weeding. Do plan to apply a weed suppressing mulch before the seed heads develop. Root out all kinds of weeds to ensure that the plants get enough moisture and nutrients. Keep sufficient space around each plant to give them room for development.
3. Feeding:
You must feed the plants to make them grow throughout the season. You can use water-soluble fertilizers every ten days to keep up their performance. Granular fertilizers can also be applied around the plants. It is best to apply the fertilizers when the soil is moist. High-potassium fertilizers encourage good growth of all plants and crops. For quick results, apply liquid fertilizers to the foliage of the plants.
4. Insect Control:
Keep your plants away from insects and critters with appropriate insect treatments such as diatomaceous earth, insecticides, neem oil, insect soap or fungicide. You can also get some ladybug insects, which naturally control the growth of insects. Remember to spray them on a seven to ten-day cycle to safeguard your plants.
5. Pruning:
Proper pruning will keep your garden charming and well maintained. Knowing the best season to prune the plants can make the chore easier. Plants that bloom in summer should be clipped in winter or early spring to stimulate their growth. However, if a plant needs desperate pruning, then, prune when it is dormant. Trim the shrubs, flowers, dry leaves, twigs and branches. Cut all dead wood, weak perennials to keep them bushy and healthy.
6. Planting:
Know the climatic requirements of plants to have a successful garden. Sunflower, Rose, water-melon, Marigold, jasmine, Peruvian Lily, Hardy begonia, Canna Lily, Blue sage, Globe thistle are some great summer-flowering plants. Some of the warm-season vegetables include tomatoes, herbs, beans, cucumbers, sweet potato and pumpkin.
