In the Garden
Take steps to protect plants in summer heat
Summertime is the most popular time to take a family vacation. Quite often the landscape will suffer because there is no one to take care of it while the family is away. There are several ways you can protect the health of your yard because during the heat of summer, plants have a tendency to dry out more quickly.
Make sure your sprinkler system is adjusted properly and set to start in early morning. The reason to water early is that the water has more time to seep into the soil and roots before the heat comes and evaporates the moisture and watering early also reduces the chance of fungus infecting your grass and plants.
If you do not have a sprinkler system, purchase a water timer that runs on battery power. Again, you will want to set it to come on in early morning. You may need several timers depending on the number of areas that need watering. Test the sprinklers before you leave to make sure they are operating properly and are covering the areas that need water. To keep the lawn areas looking good during vacation, cut the grass a little higher than usual; this will help keep the soil from drying out too quickly. When you get back, cut the grass to its normal height.
It is also important to make sure the plants do not dry out while you are gone. Adding more mulch around plantings will help keep in moisture. Follow these suggestions and your landscaping should be protected while you enjoy your vacation.
Help prolong the life of your sprinklers by keeping them clear, since quite often dirt or grass clippings can get inside the gears or block the spray nozzles and in some cases cause rust. For your garden hose, repair areas that have holes or cuts in them. It is less expensive to repair them than to buy a new hose. There are many repair items available at a very reasonable price.
Happy gardening.
- In the Garden
-
-
Ornamental plants and berries can add a dimension
The use of ornamental plants with berries can add great interest to your landscaping.
-
Start thinking about planting for great fall color now
Now is the time to think about installing plants that can give you great fall colors.
-
Plant materials can add interest to yard’s landscape
There are many things to do in your landscape during the upcoming planting season, so it is a good time to consider adding accent areas to your plans.
-
Beat summer heat by focusing on houseplants
Staying inside to beat the summer heat should not keep you from enjoying the beauty of plants.
-
Don’t let the summer months claim your landscape
Summer heat can bring on an array of problems in your landscape. Summer showers, humid weather and the increase in temperature can cause fungus in plants and lawns, increase insect populations and weed growth.
-
Gardening options can help you beat the summer heat
There are many ways you can enjoy gardening during the summer heat.
-
Summer is a great time for tree planting
Trees can be planted successfully during the summer and there is still a good selection available to choose from.
-
Warm season is a great time for sod installation
The warm season is a great time to install sod.
-
Fragrant plants are a pleasant addition to landscape
Fragrant plants can bring another wonderful dimension to your landscape.
-
Summertime is great time to enjoy flowering plants
Summertime is a great time for enjoying flowering plants.
- More In the Garden Headlines
-
Ornamental plants and berries can add a dimension
