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Gardening Calendar
The heat is on! Make time to do your gardening chores early in the day, and
don’t forget to water. If you are planning on being gone on vacation, make sure
you have someone who can check on your garden. Container plants in particular
can’t go too many days without water during these hot, dry months. If you have
a sprinkler system, set the timer and try to group as many of your containers as
possible where they can get water while you are gone.
If you have a vegetable garden, it is important that you also have someone
check on it and harvest as needed. If left to rot on the vine, disease and
insect problems will be a huge problem. And speaking of insects and diseases,
it has been quite a year for them. From powdery mildew, to leaf spots, blossom
end rot on tomatoes and fruit rot on squash we have seen it all. Scout all your
gardens at least weekly and try to spot the problems quickly before they take
over.
Mulch is a vital part of any garden right now. Mulch not only keeps the
weeds down, but it helps to moderate soil temperature and moisture, all of which
are needed now. There are numerous materials available from organic leaves,
straw and bark, to newspapers and plastic. If using a black plastic in your
vegetable garden (and that is the only place it should be used) you may want to
cover the black plastic with mulch during these hot days. Black plastic can
help warm up the soil early in the season, but can make it even hotter when it
gets hot outside. Putting shredded leaves or newspaper over it can cool it down
a bit.
Containers
Container gardens vary in their moisture needs by the amount of sunlight they
get, the plants that are growing in them, and the container size. To make your
job easier on watering, use the largest containers you can handle. The more
soil volume, the stronger the root system, and the less water they will need.
You still need to water often, but not several times a day that can occur in
small pots. Tropical plants thrive in the hot, humid days of our summers. If
you have plants that have seen better days, go visit your local nursery or
garden center. It is amazing the amount and quality of plant material that is
available all summer long. Often you can find some interesting new plants later
in the season. From ornamental bananas to tropical vines and plants, they can
give you blooms up until frost. Fertilize your containers regularly with a
liquid or water soluble fertilizer, coupled with a granular slow release
fertilizer. Use caution when using any chemical now. The combination of heat
and humidity can lead to some burn, so err on the side of too little. Deadhead
frequently to keep more blooms coming on.
Annuals and Perennials
If you chose the right plant for the right location, your seasonal color
should be at its peak now. Warm season annuals that have been watered and
fertilized are growing well. Whether you have sun or shade there are great
choices for both. Foliage performers include numerous coleus, the ornamental
sweet potato vine, the gizzard plant (Iresine), cannas and elephant ears.
Caladiums are another foliage plant with outstanding color. For bloomers in the
shade look at begonias, impatiens—and there are so many new choices here, from
the Fanfare trailing impatiens, to the miniatures and the yellow and orange
Fusion series; also try Mona Lavender plectranthus, and Torenia. Be sure to
deadhead the Torenia to keep it blooming and staying compact. For sun you can’t
beat Pentas, wave petunias, melampodium, lantana, and summer snapdragons –
Angelonia. Annuals are there to give you a lot of bang for your buck, so water
and fertilize regularly. If the plants have seen better days, replace them.
Again, nurseries don’t just carry seasonal color in the spring—they have it year
round now.
Perennial plants that are thriving now include liatris, Echinacea (purple
coneflower), agastache (hyssop- which the hummingbirds adore), and coreopsis.
Perennial hardy hibiscus are also thriving now. These plants should bloom from
mid June through August. Newer cultivars are more compact with the large dinner
size flowers. If you have lilies in the garden that have finished blooming,
allow the foliage to die back on its own before removing. Iris foliage can be
cut back into the fan shape now, if desired, and the plants can be divided if
needed. Be aware that iris plants usually don’t bloom well if they are
overcrowded, or in too much shade. When dividing, don’t get too severe. Leave
at least two fans per division.
Lawns
Water and mow is the primary task list for lawns. Warm season grasses will
continue to grow throughout the summer as long as they have water enough to stay
green. Use caution if you are applying any fertilizer or herbicides when the
weather is hot and dry. Plants look for moisture in any available form, and
could get burned. Bermuda grass is the most forgiving lawn if it gets too dry,
but Zoysia, St. Augustine and Centipede prefer a regular drink. Try to avoid
watering during the peak demand period of 5:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. That is the
time when everyone is getting ready for the day with showers, laundry and
dishes, and it may reduce your water pressure. Do try to water early in the day
to allow for good penetration of water, before the plants get stressed for it.
As the summer progresses, gradually raise the height of your lawn mower.
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