If you love to garden but don’t like working in the summer heat, check out these tips for summer time gardening to beat the heat.
Summer has finally arrived for real at my house and I couldn’t be more thrilled.I really enjoy spending the summer tinkering around in my garden, especially since I know that these sunny days will be over in the blink of an eye, and, before too long,
I’ll be saying where on earth did the summer go? I want to make the most of my summer time gardening, and not miss out on a second! But what does one do when the temperatures hit the 90s and even 100s?
Watering
We can water efficiently and regularly. Water deeply, so the plants will send their roots deep into the soil for more moisture and to escape the surface heat on the soil. Especially soak established trees and shrubs weekly or as needed. Additional water on the plants' roots during June and July will keep plants from becoming stressed and weak. Gardeners should inspect the irrigation system regularly for leaks or plugged emitters and lines. Walk the garden each day to look for thirsty plants.
Mulch
A three-inch or so layer of mulch helps prevent transpiration, hold moisture and maintain an even temperature in the soil. Use compost, wood, rock, glass, straw or other materials to hold moisture and cool the soil. Also, similar protection can be gained by growing plants thickly to provide shade to the soil.
Shade and shelter
There are many ways to add shade to areas within the garden. Most people first consider creating shade with trees. This is an excellent plan in the long run, but may not be possible in all sunny parts of the garden. Large shrubs also can provide shade and a break to protect the garden from winds. To take advantage of this shade, plant perennials, small shrubs, grasses and other ornamental plants under large trees and shrubs. A garden should be designed with plants in layers from tall to medium to ground level for the protection of the plants as well as a design formula.Shade can also be created with vines grown on structures or supports. Perennial vines will need substantial support systems, while summer annual vines can be grown on just about any pole from a shepherd's crook to a bamboo pole.
Gardeners can take advantage of shade provided by structures, sheds, walls and fences.
In the vegetable garden, gardeners can purchase row cover to protect vegetable plants from wind, sun and even some insect pests.
Cool islands
So many gardens are mounds of rock with a few, exposed plants stuck into the heat. These plants will survive and look prettier if the rock (and plastic if it is there) is removed from around the plant at least to the edges of the leaves and a bit more.
The right plants
One way to have a lovely garden in the desert that invites birds, butterflies and other creatures is to plant native and drought-tolerant plants. These plants have evolved to survive our intense heat and to thrive in the sun.
Plant in the fall
We all get spring fever and add many new and colorful perennials, shrubs and trees to our gardens throughout the spring. We can do very well at keeping them beautiful during these temperate months. However, once the heat arrives, we have to be vigilant with watering, because these plants still have very small root systems. It takes a couple of years for plants to spread out their roots, thus becoming more drought and heat tolerant each year they grow.
When planted in the fall, trees, shrubs, and perennials have up to six months to establish a full root system to tide them over the summer months
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