The summer heat is tough on your garden. It can be difficult to keep the plants thriving with higher temperatures and drought-like conditions. Even experienced gardeners struggle to maintain their plants when it’s hot. Here are a variety of ways to help your garden survive summer.
Tips to Help Your Garden Survive Summer
Proper Watering
Adequate water is perhaps the easiest way to help your plants survive summer temperatures. The time of day when you water your plants makes a difference. Watering the garden in the mid-day sun is wasteful because the water will evaporate before sinking into the roots. It’s best to water early in the day or later in the evening. Giving the plants water when the sun isn’t too hot allows plenty of time for the soil to absorb the moisture. The roots of your garden have more time to soak up the water, and they’ll stay healthier. However, watering too often can lead to root rot.
Add Shade to Help Your Garden Survive Summer
Using old bed sheets or cheesecloth, make a shade canopy above the garden. Use a light-colored fabric because dark colors absorb heat. You can also plant taller drought-resistant plants to cover the more delicate foliage on the ground.
Apply Mulch
Mulch helps plants retain moisture longer. It also controls weeds that take nutrients and water away from your plants. A three to four-inch layer of mulch is adequate. Don’t spread too much or you risk suffocating plants.
Container Gardening
If your garden is in pots and planters, move the plants to shade on especially hot days. When watering a container garden, test the top one to two inches of soil for moisture. If the dirt feels dry, it is time for watering. Don’t leave plants to sit in water. Water slowly and wait for the plant to absorb moisture before continuing watering. If you’re placing the planters in direct sun, don’t use dark-colored containers as these retain more heat and can kill a plant’s roots.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
Drought-resistant plants are easy to care for and don’t require as much water as other plants. Succulents, cacti, and aloes are very easy to maintain during a drought, needing only to be watered once a week. This type of garden can survive summer without too much attention.
Keeping the garden healthy in summer is not as complicated as it seems. When watering, follow the water regulations in your area. Use light-colored pots and shade canopies in your garden to keep heat from causing damage to your plants.
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