5 Tips and Ideas for Summer Garden Care
Making a plan is critical when it comes to summer garden care. You want your plants to stay healthy all season long. We understand this, and our gardening ideas for spring and summer can help to ensure that you have a beautiful and healthy garden well into the later summer months.
First Tip: Pay Special Attention to Budding Plants
Do you notice your plants tend to drop their flowers or buds far earlier than they're supposed to? One of the main causes of this frustrating phenomenon is a lack of water. If your plants dry out, they try to conserve their energy by dropping their flowers. Water your plants deeply once or twice a week during the morning or evening hours.
Second Tip: Keep Enough Mulch to Protect Your Plants
It's never too late in the season to apply a layer of mulch. Good summer garden maintenance means that you ensure there are at least 2 to 4 inches of mulch around your plants. It can reduce weed growth and help your plants retain water. Weeds steal nutrients from your plants, so this is great for their growth.
Third Tip: Watch and Control the Pests
Bees, spiders, ladybugs and praying mantises are all good types of pests you want to keep around your garden. Place bird baths and houses around your garden to attract birds. They'll eat the bothersome pests that could be snacking on your plants. Also, use a gentle pesticide when you see pests and avoid getting it on the plant leaves.
Fourth Tip: Protect Your New Plants
New plantings are especially vulnerable to the elements. They're most likely going to need a small amount of sun hardening to survive. When you first plant them, give them at least 50 percent shade with garden netting, cheesecloth or leafy branches for at least two weeks. This will give them time to establish themselves.
Fifth Tip: Consider Planting a Container Garden
If you don't have a lot of space, a summer garden activity the entire family can enjoy is planting and caring for a container garden. Get a few large containers with good drainage and plant one or two vegetables per container. You'll still get fresh veggies without using a lot of space.
These five simple tips and ideas can help you start and maintain a beautiful garden through the late summer months. Your entire family can get outside and have a good time together caring for the plants and harvesting the vegetables.
