Gardening options can help you beat the summer heat

July 7, 2010

By Gary Pike Lake Oconee Breeze Lake Oconee Breeze Wed Jul 07, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

LAKE OCONEE — There are many ways you can enjoy gardening during the summer heat. You can try container gardening, planting annual or perennial beds, or herb gardening. If you are worried about watering, try planting with a soil mixture formulated to hold moisture and release it to the plant as needed, such as Jiffy Potting Soil Plus. Use this type of soil in pots and planting beds.

There is still a great selection of plant material available for summer planting. Annuals can still be planted and have a long growing season left. It is also a good time to plant perennials. Many varieties are available for sun or shade conditions. When planting them it is a good idea to add plenty of soil mix into the beds. After planting, add mulch around the plants to help hold moisture in the soil.

Herb gardening has become popular in the past few years. Herbs give visual interest and most have a pleasing fragrance, and as many people know, they are great for cooking. Herbs do best in raised beds and containers.

Place summer plants where they can be easily watered. If you have a sprinkler system, this will help greatly in keeping your plants watered as needed. If you use a sprinkler attached to your garden hose, consider adding a timer at your water spigot. It will turn the water on and off for you, reducing the risk of over-watering or forgetting to turn it on. You may want to consider using a soaker hose, which allows the water to seep out evenly over its entire length and directly into the ground. It reduces runoff and ensures that the water goes exactly where you want it.

Try these planting and watering suggestions to help you enjoy your summer gardening projects.

Happy Gardening.

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