Summer Plant Care Tips

We’ve made it to one of the hottest months of the year – July! With temperatures rising, it’s now more important than ever to be mindful of your yard and garden. Heat can do some damage to your plants and, if you aren’t paying close attention, sabotage the hard work you put in this spring to transform your outdoor living space. 

Obviously, you can’t prevent the heat wave from hitting you this summer, so what can you do? Here are a few tips on how to keep your plants happy and healthy in this heat:

Image via Gardeners.com

Water Early in the Morning

With high temperatures throughout the day, you must take advantage of the cool early mornings. Watering your plants early in the morning allows them to soak up the water before the sun dries out the soil. This also prevents the water in the bed or pot from heating up too much and potentially damaging the roots of the plant.

Water Deep and Slowly

To ensure you’re getting water to the roots, water slowly. This is most applicable for indoor or potted plants. If you water too quickly, the water will pass through the pot. If you don’t water enough, then only the top layer of soil will be moist, and the plant won’t be able to absorb the water.

Shade Plants from Sun

For especially sensitive plants, provide some shade from the harsh sun during the summer months. This may mean moving some of your potted plants to a shaded area or finding a way to get some shade for your beds with plants that are sensitive to direct sunlight. 

Wait to Fertilize

Fertilizer is a great tool for any yard or garden, but there are times to hold off on introducing it to your plants and a heat wave is one of those times. Plants get stressed in high heat and adding fertilizer to the mix may only stress out the plant more. To get the most out of the fertilizer, wait until temperatures cool a bit.

Image via Home Depot

Recognize Stress

Taking precautions helps, but it’s just as imperative to recognize when your plants are under stress. Pale foliage, falling flowers, and rough yellow or brown patches on your plants can indicate anything from general stress to sunburn. Do you research and monitor your plants this summer to catch any signs of stress from heat, sun, or other factors.

Get Some Extra Help

It’s always useful to leverage experts. During these months when your plants need a little extra TLC, consider investing in additional care. Our team here at Virginia Lawn Service are prepared to take on the heat and help your plants through the hottest summer months. Reach out to us for more information on how we can help.