by
As the summer months come and go, there are many different things you can do to care for your garden. Some things you should keep in mind are pruning and deadheading to prevent weeds and insects from taking over your garden. You can also use cover crops to replace depleted nutrients in your soil and avoid watering plants too often in the evening.
Deadheading prevents unwanted takeover of garden
Deadheading your perennials helps them flower more. This technique encourages plants to switch resources from seed production to flower production, thereby extending their blooming season. Deadheading also encourages annuals and perennials to produce more blooms throughout the summer, which can be especially beneficial to edible plants.
However, not all flower varieties respond well to deadheading. It depends on the species of the flowers and the type of growing conditions. In general, cosmos, marigolds, petunias, roses, salvia, snapdragons, and snapdragons respond best to deadheading. Plants such as foxglove and astilbe are not recommended for deadheading, since their flowers last only one season.
In addition to preventing unwanted takeover of the garden in the summer, deadheading encourages flower bud development for the next season. It is also useful for preventing flower-producing plants from producing seed heads. Seed-bearing plants are more susceptible to disease and pest infestations.
Deadheading your summer garden is one of the best ways to prolong the flowering season. The majority of annuals and perennials require deadheading. Deadheading your flowers keeps them from being untidy and unappealing. Besides, dead-heading your plants will keep them flowering throughout the entire summer.
The process of deadheading your perennials is simple and will help you keep your garden looking tidy. In addition, dead-heading encourages your plants to produce more flowers and spend more energy on the flowers. You can use your fingers or other tools for deadheading but it is recommended to use garden tools for this task. A pair of garden scissors will do the job.
Cover crops restore depleted nutrients to soil
Growing cover crops is a good way to replenish depleted nutrients in the soil and keep it from becoming too acidic. Plants that produce dense roots and fibrous foliage make excellent cover crops. They improve soil organic matter, reduce soil erosion, and control weeds. Mix cover crops with other types of plants such as legumes to achieve the double benefit of soil conditioning and biomass production.
Cover crops help suppress weeds by competing for nutrients, changing the temperature of the soil surface, and releasing herbicidal compounds through their roots. Some plants are more effective than others. For example, cereal rye is good at suppressing weeds while allowing water to penetrate the soil. Other crops, such as sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, are excellent at covering the soil surface.
Cover crops are best planted in the spring. However, they can also be planted any time of year, depending on the climate. In areas with harsh winters, cover crops may not be suitable for planting. In general, cover crops should be planted prior to your usual garden plants.
Avoid watering plants in the evening
Watering in the evening may be more convenient, but it can also be harmful for plants. Evening watering can leave plants damp overnight, encouraging fungal growth and increasing insect pressure. It also results in decreased plant productivity. It can even cause plant death if it’s not watered in time.
The best time to water plants in the summer is early in the morning, before the sun comes up. Midday watering is also unnecessary since most of the water evaporates before it reaches the plant’s roots. You also want to avoid watering during the afternoon because the temperature is high during this time.
Watering plants in the morning is ideal, and watering them during the daytime will minimize the risk of bacterial diseases. Watering them at night will attract insects and cause plants to lose half of their water to evaporation. You can also avoid watering in the evening if you have a large garden. If you have a large lawn or garden, it might be a good idea to set an automatic timer or sprinkler to keep your plants well watered.
Unlike in spring, summertime can cause plants to dry out. They are more sensitive to extreme temperatures. They may need extra water in order to survive. The best time to water plants is early in the morning or late in the evening. You can also keep your plants in a shaded area during the summer to protect them from the hot afternoons.
While evening watering is not the most ideal time to water plants, you can still try it. If you see the plants wilting or are otherwise struggling to thrive, it is time to water them. Most plants absorb water through their roots. Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind and avoid watering them too late.
Similar topics
