A Guide To Summer Plant Care

A Guide To Summer Plant Care

When it comes to keeping your plants alive, happy, and healthy, summer can be the most daunting month. Why? It’s hot, often dry or oppressively humid, and pests are at an all-year high. 

 

So, before you fret and decide that your garden is a lost cause and xeriscaping is the only option, use this guide to keep your plants green and avoid some of the most common summer gardening pitfalls. 

 

Understanding the Difficulties of Summer Gardening

 

Summer is often regarded as the brightest season of the year in the garden. Coneflowers, dahlias, crape myrtles, and so many other flowers are glowing. However, summer is also one of the most difficult times to keep plants hydrated. 

 

This is the time of year when your plants can be here today, gone tomorrow. And, yes, it even happens to the best gardeners. 

 

The scalding summer heat zaps the soil of its moisture while allowing weeds to grow and spread. Furthermore, harmful pests and fungi have a field day in the summer heat. And to make matters worse, plants that are wilted or slightly unhealthy are more vulnerable to succumbing to these issues.

 

Keep Your Plants Healthy Throughout Summer

 

Recognize Issues Early and Act Quickly

 

Summer calls for proactive care for your plants. One of the best things you can proactively do to keep your plants looking and growing their best is to walk your garden. 

 

Spending time in your yard can help you identify changes in your plants and spot issues early. You should do this as often as possible. Every day or two is ideal.

 

Problems to Keep an Eye Out for Include:

 

  • Wilted and drooping plants
  • Discoloration of foliage
  • Holes in foliage (and even petals)
  • Visible pests
  • Fungi and “mildews”
  • Plant dieback or diseased limbs

 

Solutions to Common Summer Issues:

  • Wilted and drooping plants: WATER
  • Discoloration of foliage: likely caused by pests or lack of nutrients -- Neem oil or an insecticide plus a soil additive or fertilizer
  • Holes in foliage (and even petals): likely the work of bugs--Neem oil or an insecticide
  • Visible pests: manually remove them and treat the plant with Neem oil or an insecticide
  • Fungi and “mildews”: remove affected foliage if possible and treat with a fungicide
  • Plant dieback or diseases limbs: remove dead debris and limbs about 5 to 12 inches from the infection

 

Adopt Smart-Watering Techniques

 

Water is the life force of your garden. However, if you’re not smarting strategically, your plants may not be receiving adequate hydration. 

 

Here’s what you need to do once summer arrives:

 

  • Consider How You Water--Would an Irrigation System Be Better?

 

Decide if you want to use a drip or soaker irrigation system. These deliver water into the soil or right to the roots where your plants need it most. Furthermore, water on your plants’ foliage is more likely to encourage fungi and disease. 

 

These watering systems also help save water, since the flow rate is decreased and accuracy is increased.

 

If you decide that a soaker hose or drip system is not right for you, try to concentrate water on the root area of your plants and use a spray nozzle that allows the water flow to be cut off as you move from plant to plant.

 

  • Make Watering Part of Your Morning Routine

 

Water your plants in the morning and water them deeply. One mistake some new gardeners make is to water their plants daily but only provide a small amount of water per plant. This is not what your plants want. 

 

Your best option is to water your plants, thoroughly saturating their roots, every two to three days. This allows the top of the soil to dry between waterings, decreasing pests, fungi, and other diseases. It also allows the plant to drink at its own pace. 

 

Why morning? Plants take in moisture from their roots and send it up the plant in the morning. Watering during the day is inefficient since water evaporates more quickly and the plant will not drink in as much moisture. Watering at night encourages fungus growth. 

 

  • Mulch Makes Water Last Longer

 

Your soil will retain moisture better and longer with a layer of mulch. Mulch prevents surface evaporation while retaining water, releasing it more slowly as your plants need it. You don’t have to buy expensive, dyed, store-bought mulch. You can use your garden waste and grass clippings

 

  • Stay Vigilant

 

Take note if your potted plants need more or less water. Yes--you can overwater plants in the summer. If your well-watered plant’s leaves begin to droop or discolor, you’re likely overwatering it. Allow its soil to thoroughly dry out before giving it a deep drink, again.

 

Don’t Skip the Plant Food

 

Many plants use the sun and ideal temperatures in summer to grow, grow, grow. This is excellent, especially for your perennial plants which will come back next year taller and stronger. 

 

To help your plants remain healthy as they reach toward the sky, be sure you provide them the nutrients they need for optimal growth. Using organic plant food will provide your plants plenty of nutrients when they need it most. 

 

Plant food also helps your plants build strong cell walls, preventing common issues such as blossom end rot while decreasing susceptibility to diseases and pests. 

 

Deal with Pests Properly

 

So, we often live by the motto that if something’s not eating your plants, you’re not doing something right. However, non-native and highly harmful pests can really do a number on your garden. Bugs such as aphids and Japanese beetles can kill your plants in the blink of an eye. 

 

Some pests, such as aphids, can be manually removed using a powerful spray of water. You will want to repeat this daily until they move along. 

 

Japanese beetles on the other hand are a bit more tenacious. Both big bags and other insecticides are likely necessary to eliminate them from your garden.

 

A neem oil mix is also a great proactive way to treat your plants before bugs become a problem.

 

Shade, Shade, Shade

 

For potted plants and new plants, try to provide some respite from the sun with temporary shade. You can do this with shade fabric or even a beach umbrella. Clustering your pots under a tree can also do the trick.

 

Don’t Plant or Prune

 

Your shrubs, trees, and flowers are growing during the summer. This makes this season (and spring) less than ideal for pruning. It’s a better idea to wait until your plants have gone dormant to remove excess growth. 

 

Because of the heightened presence of pests, avoiding pruning your plants during summer is even more important. Pruning wounds give pests an access point that can result in your plant, shrubs, or tree dying.

 

You can prune fruit trees during the summer, especially if you’re selectively planning to increase your tree’s fruit yield. 

 

Furthermore, adding new plants to the garden during the height of summer can be a waste of time, money, and energy. Transplanting shocks a plant’s system, making them more vulnerable. 

 

They also need more water to be able to orient their roots and rebound. Because it can be difficult to provide ample water, shade, and prevent disease in summer, it’s best to hold off on planting. 

 

If you do plant, consider giving the plant temporary shade, A LOT of water, and a thick layer of mulch.

 

Consider Deadheading 

 

Depending on your aesthetic and gardening philosophy, you may want to snip off spent blooms in the garden. Doing so allows the plant to send more energy to the roots and other healthy-growth areas of the plant. 

 

Why would someone choose not to deadhead? If you’re collecting the seeds from seed heads for future planting or you want the seedheads to provide birds and other critters with a future snack. 

 

Plan Ahead for Next Year with Water Smart Plants

 

Summer can be one of the most laborious and stressful seasons for gardeners. It can also be one of the most magical when it comes to blooms. If you’re looking for lower-maintenance plants, choose drought-hardy options that thrive in high temperatures and full sun. These include sedums, coneflower, and stonecrops.

 

Maximize your summer gardening fun by taking advantage of the morning low temperatures and the evenings. 

 

Happy planting!