Hot! Hot! Hot! Preparing for Summer.
Is your yard ready for a hot summer? Here are some ideas that you’ll need to think about before it gets too hot outside.
Watering
If you’re busy and don’t have time to water your plants every day, you may want to check out Soil Moist. This product, available at The Gardener’s Choice, is a gel that you mix into the dirt. When you water a plant, Soil Moist retains that water and releases it slowly into the soil, eliminating everyday watering. Your plant will also become more heat tolerant!
Perennials need summer watering, preferably deep root watering. You will want to start watering mid-morning or midday and end early enough so plants can dry off before the evening.
Annuals are shallow rooted, so you do not want to allow the soil to dry out. Begin watering annuals in the morning and water throughout the heat of the day if necessary. Stop in mid-afternoon to allow the plants time to dry off before nightfall.
Do not water your plants in the evening because water that sits on leaves during the night can lead to plant disease problems. During periods of very hot weather, it is best to water earlier in the morning.
Mulch
Flowerbeds should be mulched in spring or summer. In the summer, mulch retains water and prevents weeds. If a weed seed sprouts, it is very easy to pull up with its roots still intact. Apply summer mulch before the plants have made much growth and water it into place.
Mulch should be replenished every two years. If you’re going to put new mulch down, a pre-emergent herbicide called Preen is recommended. Preen will prevent weeds from growing but will not harm your flowers or shrubs. Preen needs to be applied three times per year to be the most effective.
Fertilizer
Shrubs and trees should be fertilized in spring and on or before August 1. If fertilizer is applied too late in the fall, it could promote growth which may not have time to mature before freezing temperatures occur in the fall. See The Truth About Fertilizer article for more reading on fertilizer.
Make sure to come to The Gardener’s Choice for a wide selection of fertilizers that are appropriate for your lawn, flowers, and vegetable gardens. We will be able to answer all your questions about this and all your plant and yard needs.
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