Keeping your garden looking its best in summer can be a challenge with the heat and humidity (or lack of!)—not to mention extra watering, weeding, and a whole new round of pests and plant diseases. What worked in spring to get your garden looking great probably needs some adjustments as the temperatures rise. Keep an eye out for plants that are stressed and see the tips below on how to help your plants survive the heat.
Get Your Hydrangea Questions Answered
A sure sign of summer is hydrangeas blooming. But, there are so many questions regarding growing them—do they all change color? Is shade a must? Do they need to be pruned? If so, when and how? Well, we're here to answer all of your hydrangea questions—just check out the articles below. Pictured: 2022 Hydrangea of the Year, Little Quick Fire® panicle hydrangea. Zones 3-8, partial to full sun, early blooming, 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Photo by: Proven Winners.
While many of us discovered the healing effects of gardens and gardening over the past few years, homeowner Sue Ingraham has known it for years. When she was faced with the challenge of helping her husband recover at home, she decided to create a beautiful garden for him to recover in. Take a season-by-season stroll with us through this garden and discover the life lessons that came along with it.
"By working in the garden, I was able to focus on creating something beautiful, and at the same time, it allowed me to stay close to home." —Sue Ingraham.
13 Tips for Watering in Summer
We can all use a little extra hydration when it's hot, and plants are certainly no exception. Are you watering yours correctly? At the right time? Often enough? Maybe too often? Check out these 13 tips that will help you make sure your plants make it through the heat happy and healthy. Plus, good watering habits will help you make the most of every precious drop.
Annuals That Can Handle the Heat
With consistently hot temperatures, it can be difficult to maintain color in the garden. If you're looking for some annuals that can provide much-needed color all summer long, check out this list of 10 annuals that thrive in the heat. Pictured: Campfire® Flame (Bidens hybrid) from Proven Winners.
(Be sure to check out next week's newsletter for more plants that can take the heat!)
How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew
If you're not sure what to do when powdery mildew strikes (and it will!), we're here to help. Learn what steps you can take to treat and prevent outbreaks, plus which plants are more susceptible than others.
Tip: Using drip irrigation (like the one shown below) can greatly reduce the risk of a powdery mildew infestation.
How to Set Up Your Containers on a Drip System
Regular watering plays a huge role in the success of container plantings. Because the soil in containers dries out faster than in the ground, plants in pots require more frequent watering than those in beds or borders. Make your life easier and have beautiful, healthy containers by installing drip irrigation—in this video, Laura shows you how!
Buy Waterwise Container Watering Kits and accessories from Proven Winners.
8 tips to help you & your plants survive the summer sun:
- Garden early in the morning
- Move containers to the shade and group together, putting the most sun-sensitive in the center
- Use a drip system to eliminate overspray and reduce evaporation
- Water mature trees at the drip line, not the trunk
- Water deeply—don't just dampen the surface
- Keep mulch replenished to conserve water, cool root zones, and decrease weeds
- Harvest fruits & veggies promptly to preserve the plant's energy
- Add temporary shade cloth or covering where possible
Happy Gardening!
-Linda
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