Summer is a challenging time for every gardener. Most gardens start with a glorious burst of green, healthy plants favored by the warm temperatures of the early summer days.
But by mid-summer, the plants start to look overgrown, wilted, and gray-green in color. Those that survive the unforgiving summer heat get munched on by summer pests.
While you may find respite in making new recipes with fresh foods this summer, it is difficult to watch your garden suffer. You need to come up with the right approach to keep your garden healthy and green even with the soaring summer temperatures.
Here is a list of some of the top gardening tips that you can use to keep your garden healthy and fruitful during this summer period.
Essential tips to keep your garden beautiful and healthy this summer
1. Don’t just water, water wisely
With the intense summer heat, you need to ensure that you water your garden frequently. But since most pathogens and plant diseases need water just as your plants do, you need to water wisely.
Avoid watering methods that encourage moisture on the plant’s foliage. Drip irrigation method and soaker hoses can help you limit the amount of water that is getting on your plant’s foliage. When watering by hand, ensure that you hold your leaves to keep them out of the way.
It is also wise to water in the morning before the sun gets hot, so your plants absorb enough water.
2. Keep an eye on bugs
Any gardener who has fought bugs knows how stubborn they can be. With the warm temperatures expect some bugs, good and bad ones, to show up in your garden.
One of the bugs to watch out for this summer season are aphids. In good conditions, some aphid species can hatch up to 41 generations in a season. And in no time, they will have infested your garden ready to suck moisture off your plants.
One of the best strategies to use when keeping aphids away is planting different crop varieties and attracting predatory insects.
3. Don’t let weeds take over your beautiful garden
With the warm temperatures, many weeds will jump from tiny lovely plants to gigantic pesky ones, ready to reign over your plants. You need to pull them out while they are still young and small. Weeding ensures that your plants do not have to compete for water and nutrients. It will also lower the chances of having a pest outbreak in your garden.
4. Mulch
Mulching is a good way to shield your plant’s roots from the hot sun. A well-shredded straw mulch will also keep your soil moist for a long time. This will save you from watering every day, trying to keep your plants hydrated.
While mulching, ensure the mulch is loose enough to avoid your soil from becoming compacted. This allows precious water to reach your roots underground.
5. Prune when necessary
Pruning helps to control diseases and pests and also, keeps the plant from getting overgrown. Pruned plants will require little water to maintain. Therefore, if your garden is comprised of fruit trees and shrubs, think about pruning for a healthier garden.
Finally,
Don’t let the rising temperatures keep you from having a fresh and healthy produce. We recommend the above tips for a successful gardening experience this summer.
