Summer gardens can be incredibly beautiful with a variety of blooming flowers. When there are a warm atmosphere and a lot of sunlight, many plants will thrive faster. There is also a downside of the sunny summer months. We all know it can get really hot outside.
It is not just humans and animals who may suffer in the extreme heat, but plants too need proper care and hydration. Here are some good tips on what you should be careful of during this time.
1. Put mulch around your plants
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Plants should never wither. A good layer of mulch on your garden will protect flowers from heat, shielding dirt from direct sun, and retain moisture. It will also serve as an extra fertilizer for the soil. You can cover the soil’s top layer with many different things such as compost, wooden pieces, decaying leaves, bark, etc. Try to maintain a layer of mulch around 6 cm thick.
2. Proper watering
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When we can’t rely on rain or natural moisture to keep our gardens refreshed, it is very important to water the soil properly. It’s better to give our flowers a nice deep soak every few days than short watering every day. That way, the water can reach the roots. Water your plants in the morning before the day gets too hot or late in the evening.
3. Remove the weed
Weeds love summer because they adore the heat. Same as our plants, the weeds will thrive much faster during the summer months. Try to keep your garden weed-free so that your plants won’t need to compete for water and nutrients. Remove them when they are still young and small. It will be much easier. Mulch around the plants will also help to suppress weeds.
4. Regular check out
Check your plants for signs of disease. If you take care of infected ones soon enough, you can prevent the disease from spreading further. When your garden is bathing in the abundance of colorful blooms, annoying pests like slugs, snails, aphids, caterpillars will come for the feast during the summer. You can use many natural ways to protect your flowers.
5. Fertilize
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In the middle of the summer, it is advisable to add some flower fertilizer to certain plants. In the following colder months, they will benefit greatly from it. We can also give our plants some potassium which will help to promote their growth. On the other hand, don’t use nitrogen during summer.
6. Prune regularly
By trimming off old blossoms, you help flowers to continue blooming throughout the summer. All you have to do is cutting off the spent flowers and damaged parts. Removing old flowers helps encourage the plant to produce even more new buds and stimulates foliage growth.
7. Harvest
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Regular harvesting will help to promote more growth throughout the whole season. Many flowers benefit not just from the regular removal of a dead but also fresh flowers. You can make bouquets and decorate the inner or outer space of your home.
8. Plants in pots
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Even when you are using pots for your flowers, you shouldn’t forget to take care of the plants during summer. Water them enough but allow excess water to run out from the bottom of the pot. Put the flowers in a place where they can get morning sun which is the best for potted plants.
9. Think about pollinators
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Some insects and hummingbirds are crucial for the pollination of the plants. You can plant some native plants that are especially appealing to them. Sunflowers, zinnias, and lavender are just some of the options that will attract wanted animals. Plant them near your vegetables to get additional benefits from them.
10. Garden appearance
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Bigger plants are great helpers during the hot summer sun. Trees can provide nice shadows not just for us but also for the flowers. It is a good idea to plant them if you have enough space. Colorful pots and containers will liven up home surroundings and bring an even nicer summer vibe to your home. A water fountain or small portable water feature can also be a great choice.
After all this, if you still need help for your garden during summer period, you can visit Citrus Heights arborists for gardening advice.