Summer Gardening Tips from Experts

Summer Gardening

Summer Gardening

Summer means different things and poses distinct challenges amongst Australian gardeners. There are various challenges that all gardeners face at this time of year, as landscapes bare victim to the effect of high temperatures and keeping plants hydrated is a commonly shared issue. Escalating summer temperatures call for more attention, considerations and understanding of your outdoor sanctuary.

Each garden is unique and their varying microclimates, plants and each region’s distinct metrological tendencies mean there is no clear-cut, one-fits-all solution or routine. However, good preparation is key, and with advanced planning, you can really make the most of the summer months to get your garden booming and blooming.

Watering schedule

Watering your garden is an essential component for garden maintenance. Neglecting this responsibility is the easiest way to let your garden go. We get it, manual watering can be laborious, time-consuming and hard to stick to, depending on how often your plants need watering and the size of your garden.

So, if you haven’t got the time, there are plenty of solutions available. Automated irrigation systems can ensure that your plants are receiving their required and routine hydration. Or, alternatively, lawn care professionals or experienced gardeners are available to re-vamp and offer you reliable and informed solutions.

Fertilising on time Healthy soil, Healthy Plants

Keeping your plants healthy isn’t as hard as you think you just have to think about what you can’t see to make sure what you can see is looking amazing. Fertilizing your plants and keeping your soil protected by the elements will also help with water retention during the dry hot summer months. Using ground covers to protect your soil is ideal to keep all the hard working microbes healthy that are turning over the soil and creating nurtients for your plants. Ground covers can be anything from rocks, pebbles, plants and bark. Keeping your plants healthy is simultaneously an art and a science that requires a lot of thought, time and care. Like any living thing, they require a range of nutrients that they can get naturally, i.e. from the sun and through the previously mentioned watering schedule, or artificially when placed out of their natural eco-system- this is where you come in to cater for them.

Fertiliser is a great alternative. A good quality, controlled, released fertiliser applied at the beginning of Spring and then a consistent follow-up throughout the Summer every 8 – 12 weeks will secure optimal growth even in the high temperatures.

Check on Pests

This can make or break your garden. Some commonly perceived garden pests have been shown to optimise soil moisture and heat, such as earthworms, meaning that their presence can be beneficial to plant growth. However, not all garden visitors will be invited or have such a positive effect which is something that you need to be on alert for and have in mind.

There are many ways that you can do this. Many plants have their own pest deterrent defences, and many resistant varieties exist, so by correctly maintaining and growing them, they’ll eventually be grown up enough do the job themselves keeping your plants healthy is key for their own resistance as pest are attracted to sick and vunerable plants. Other than the obvious, planting out of the way, using physical barriers and keeping on guard can help to keep the nuisances at bay. Know your pests lifecycle. With a little research you can find out when your pest starts its breeding season . if you treat the plants infestations early you can break the pest life cycle and stop it in its tracks!

Make a plan for weeds

It’s inevitable. If you have a garden, you’re going to get even more unexpected pests. This time in the form of plant varieties. That’s right, we’re talking about weeds. They’re unavoidable, and best dealt with head on. For optimal results staying on top of your weeding is key. If you leave it too long, not only will you be forced to reckon with a jungle-esque, leafy overfill, but it can be quite an overwhelming experience.

Prune for better shape

Pruning and trimming your existing plants is also another key part of garden maintenance. Not only does it keep everything tidy and aesthetically pleasing, but it also maintains the natural order and ecosystem for your plants. Encourage new healthy growth

By keeping your plants in shape, you are ensuring ultimately that they optimise their nutrients, and they don’t have dying stems, leaves or branches. It allows them to have sufficient space as not to overcrowd or overshadow other plants, so everything can grow harmoniously.

Choose the season plant

Knowing your plants is rule number 1 of summer gardening. In order to get them to fully blossom, bloom or grow the desired fruits and vegetables, knowing the season and conditions in which they will flourish is key.

Each plant has a delicate balance, its own place in the ecosystem and each garden is unique in content, quantity and the conditions that it hosts. Information for each plant can be obtained online, or in store upon purchase about general care and maintenance.

Keep your pots cool

Your pots will be the first thing to heat up and bare the brunt of the summer Aussie heat which doesn’t serve much for your potted plants. Keeping your pots cool should be a key consideration for your summer garden preparation. This could involve strategies relating to the placement, i.e. making sure that they get plenty of shade, extra watering to cool them down or using cooling agents such as sand around the pot to maintain moisture and healthy roots. Making sure the size of the pot isn’t too small.

Having these mechanisms in place will ultimately make staying on top of your garden an easy, habitual and stress-free task, and you can make the most of your summer garden.

 

Frequently Asked Questions – Summer Gardening

How do I prepare my garden for summer? The best advice is to scope it out. Understanding what you have, the climate-based challenges you might face in the foreseeable will be your best preventative technique and allow you to prepare adequately.
How do you keep plants alive in the hot summer? Deep watering is a commonly recommended strategy within the gardening communities with the eye of caution to not overwater. Plant placement and mindfulness of location within your garden is also key to ensuring that you are providing the correct care for your plants.
What can you plant in summer Australia? All regions of Australia have different summer climates, so there are variations. However, across the board, Summer is a great season to plant seasonal flowers and shrubs such as Petunias, Geraniums and Fuchsias, as well as your classic herbs.
Should you water plants every day in hot weather? Different plants will require differing levels of hydration and care across the season. Their placement in your garden will also need to be taken into consideration when planning your watering schedule.
Can plants recover from heat stress? yes, watering with a seaweed solution can stop heat shock and help bring it back to health. New premium quality potting mix can be added or replaced as the soil could have become hydrophobic is it has dried out.
Should you water your garden in the morning or evening? It is generally best to water your garden outside of the hours of optimal heat. If it is a extremely hot day you could consider watering twice depending on the plant and exposure to the sun to cool the plants down.
Is it OK to fertilise plants in hot weather? Yes. Spring is the optimal season to apply fertiliser, but many plants for example Germaniums flourish in the summer and the addition of a fertiliser will only aid and encourage their growth. Always read the instructions so you don’t iover fertilise. Too much fertiliser can be fatal.
Should you plant in summer? For sure. There are a great range and variety of seasonal plants that flourish in the summer months. Its important to not plant on very hot days as root shock can accure if the root dry out in the process. If you are planting on a hot day always chose the coolest time of the day and water very well for the following weeks with seaweed solution.
How often should you water your garden in hot weather? Once a day is the general advice depending on the size, plants and regional weather conditions.
Can too much heat kill plants? Yes. Too much heat can result in dry soil which will ultimately lack in the essential nutrients needed for optimal growth.
Do dehumidifiers affect plants? It’s unfortunate, but most plants do not grow very well in drier environments. Thus, dehumidifiers can indirectly have a negative effect on house plants.
Will hot soil kill plants? Warm soil can ensure optimal growth for many plants, but likewise if the soil is too cold or hot, it will dry out and not be able to preserve the much needed nutrients for plants to flourish which can ultimately lead to lack of growth or death.
Can geraniums get too much sun? Geraniums are summer plant and need at least 4-6 hours’ worth of sun per day for optimal blooming and growth. This timeframe will be extended if the light is filtered.
How many times should I water my plants in the summer? General advice is daily. Finding the optimal hour of the day when it is not to hot will maximise results and get your garden blooming to the maximum.