by Planting cool-weather vegetables
Planting cool-weather vegetables in your garden can help keep them from getting over-heated in the hot summer. Cool-weather crops like lettuce, mustard greens, turnips, cabbage, spinach, kale, and beets require cooler soil temperatures. These vegetables will stop producing once the temperatures climb above 80degF. To avoid this problem, plant cool-weather vegetables close together. They will shade each other and help keep each other cooler. They should also be mulched to reduce soil temperature and the radiant heat absorbed by the soil.
Planting cool-weather vegetables in the summer is not as challenging as it might sound. However, it is vital to plant them in the right season. Some cool-weather plants are best planted in early spring, while others are better suited for later planting. When planning your garden layout, think about what vegetables are available in the area where you live.
You can also plant cool-season vegetables in pots or containers. These are great options for first-time gardeners who aren’t able to grow root vegetables from seed. Cool-weather plants like lettuce, carrots, and peas can be grown in containers, making them easier to care for.
Watering
There are several considerations you need to make when watering your garden in summer. Some of them are weather-related, while others have to do with the type of plants and crops you grow. Depending on their nature, watering requirements may vary significantly from one plant to the next. The right amount of water for a particular crop will depend on several factors, including the type of root system and crop itself.
First, you need to know when to water your garden. Typically, one or two watering sessions per week are sufficient. For flowers, you can let them dry out a bit before watering them. For other parts of the garden, watering only once every few weeks is a good idea.
For outdoor plants, it is recommended that you water in the morning rather than the evening. This will allow more water to be absorbed by the plants’ leaves and reduce evaporation. Watering early in the morning can also help to prevent fungus from damaging plants and crops.
Deadheading
Deadheading your garden plants is a great way to extend their flowering season. By cutting the flowers before they fade and go to seed, you divert their energy and nutrients into producing more flowers. It also keeps the plants looking their best in the summer. You can do this at any time of the year, but it is particularly important in the warmer months.
Many long-blooming annuals and perennials benefit from light deadheading. But some, like sweet alyssum and diascias, need heavier pruning. While shrubby perennials that flower briefly may only need a tip pruning after they have finished blooming, it’s still a good idea to deadhead them often.
Deadheading your flowers is a simple process. Just pinch off the spent flower stem and cut it off just above the first set of healthy leaves. Repeat this process for each flower that dies. To make this job easier, you can use secateurs or scissors. If you prefer to use a blade, you can shear off the flower stems instead.
Some perennials, such as hydrangeas, have long flower stems, which can make deadheading their flowers difficult. To avoid causing bulb rot, cut spent flower stems from the stem above the leaf and down to the basal foliage. This practice is especially beneficial for tuberous daylilies, because deadheading helps to encourage more blossoms.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your garden in summer is not necessary for most plants, but for the annual ones it can be beneficial. This fertilization helps annual flowers bloom until frost and vegetables produce. It is also good for lawns, which need extra help to grow strong roots. Many trees and shrubs also benefit from a second application of fertilizer in summer. However, cool-season grasses should not be fertilized during this season.
Fertilizing your garden in summer is an excellent way to increase the growth of your plants, but be careful to avoid overfertilizing them. This practice may lead to undesirable results and can be harmful to some plants. In the spring and early summer, fertilize your garden with a granular all-purpose fertilizer, or you can apply a liquid fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Apply this fertilizer once or twice a month through the summer. If you live in a hot area, you can back off on the fertilizer during this time, but if you live in a cold or dry climate, you can resume your fertilization routine in early fall.
While summer may be the perfect time to apply fertilizer, many people still choose to neglect this important task. While it may seem tempting to add more fertilizer, the truth is that over-fertilization can have detrimental effects on heat and drought-stressed plants. For example, over-fertilization can cause excess salts to build up near the roots of your plants, which reduces water flow up. The salts can cause dieback and can even damage plant tissues.
Pruning
Pruning in your garden in summer is a great way to get your plants ready for the cooler weather ahead. Pruning your plants can keep them looking healthy while also keeping your yard looking tidy. Pruning in summer will also give you a chance to enjoy late summer flowering plants as they form spring buds in the late summer.
Pruning in summer should be done sparingly to maintain the health of your plants. You will not want to prune any branches below the first bud of a plant. This will promote healthy growth and reduce the risk of plant disease. Make sure that your pruning tools are clean and disinfected to avoid spreading disease.
Pruning in your garden in summer can help limit the size of your plants and encourage more productive side shoots. You can also prune fruit trees and berries in summer to encourage larger fruit. These plants tend to grow larger and more vibrant fruit during summer. Pruning will also help train your plants.
Pruning in summer is not as extreme as it might seem. You can prune trees and shrubs to keep them looking fresh and healthy, but it is essential to prune properly. While the main goal of pruning is to reduce growth and prevent damage, summer pruning can also encourage fruiting or flowering. Pruning should be done in overcast weather and should not be done when the sun is very hot.
Cleaning up
When the summer months come around, you’ll be tempted to skip garden clean up. But the best reason for waiting is for the songbirds. After all, you can’t have them if your garden is overrun with trash. So it’s best to wait until the temperatures are in the fifties for seven days or more. By then, the critters will have awakened and will be able to find their way out of the compost piles you’ve created.
It’s important to remember that native bees and butterflies need a winter habitat to stay healthy and thrive. They also need protection from predators. Remaining garden debris will also serve as a home for overwintering insects, like moths and praying mantis. These insects are important because they protect plants and insects from pests. Moreover, they help keep the pest population under control, especially the early-emerging ones.
Moreover, fall cleanup is also an important activity, as it rids your garden of potentially dangerous insects and weed seeds. In addition, it gets rid of dead plant materials, which are perfect hiding spots for disease-causing organisms. If left unattended, these materials can also harbor fungal spores, which can cause infections in new plants. Proper composting practices are another important part of garden clean up.
Preparing for fall
Preparing for fall in your garden in the summer requires a few adjustments. First, you must remove any plant material that is diseased or otherwise unhealthy. This way, your fall crops will not become malnourished or suffer from pests and fungi. It is also a good time to add compost to the soil. It contains good bacteria and will help your plants build their defenses against pests and fungi.
Another step in preparing for fall in your garden is pruning. During the fall, you should prune shrubs and trees to remove weak and diseased branches. This will conserve energy and allow the plants to focus on new growth next spring. Also, be sure to dispose of any dead, diseased, or broken branches in a safe manner.
Soil testing is also a good idea. Testing your soil will help you determine if it has pH or nutrient deficiencies. Take a soil sample from several beds or multiple locations. You can obtain a free soil test from the Cooperative Extension office or a local home improvement store.
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