Summer Gardening....July

Phew...we are in the middle of the heat now with our gardens and landscaping taking a beating.  Let's take a look at some summer gardening tips to get us through.

Here are some tips and suggestions:

• Water: deeply and infrequently.  You should only be watering 2 to 3 times per week for 20 to 30 minutes maximum between the hours of 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.  If you are watering after 5:00 am and on you are losing water due to evaporation, so you are just wasting water.

• Prune: Now I have not done a good job with pruning this summer.  Trying to find a time of day that the temperature is not blazing hot has been a struggle.  However, try to get out a prune dead limbs or branches, remove dead flower heads and trim roses.

• Fertilize: If you think you have not amended your soil enough with compost then get an organic fertilizer because chemical fertilizers are too potent and pollute our water ways.

• Pest Control: ant mounds can be suppressed with citrus pulp, dust everywhere with food grade diatomaceous earth, beneficial nematodes helps rid fleas, ticks and chiggers, spray spider mites with a garlic pepper tea or a liquid seaweed.  Pull weeds by hands or hula hoe.

• Plant: start seeds indoors for seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, melons.

• Extras: remember leave grass clippings on the grass, throw mulch on bare soil, put liquid seaweed on plants to reduce heat stress.

Remember keep your head covered with a great fantastic hat that provides enough cover to your ears and face.  Wear sunscreen, protective breathable clothing and drink lots of water.  Believe it or not long sleeve shirts that is tightly woven made with natural material not synthetic will keep you cooler than shorts and short sleeved shirts.

I would love to see your oasis from the heat in your yard!

Enjoy your gardening......Deanne

*image credit provided by Microsoft clip art.