Summer Garden Maintenance Tips

Summer isn’t all sunshine and daisies when it comes to the wonderful world of gardening. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Summer garden maintenance and upkeep are of prime importance to keep everything flourishing.

Keep in mind that this is the time of year that most see as most desirable when it comes to planting a garden. Given the extreme heat and weather conditions, though, the garden requires the most maintenance in summer. Which, of course, requires time. Time being hard enough to come by throughout the year, yet alone with the hustle and bustle of the busy summertime.

However, these few summertime gardening tips may offer you a breath of fresh air! You’ll grow your garden and maintain it with ease.

Structure your garden to best suit your needs

There are some parts of the summer that may be busier for you than others. Strategize your planting to suit your needs; plant when you are more likely to be at home to tend to your garden.

Alternatively, invest in a greenhouse. You’ll have almost complete control over your gardening growth, temperatures and habits. If a greenhouse isn’t in your budget, consider using aquaponic setups or container plant in areas that are easy for you to maintain daily.

Feed your plants

Ensuring the health, stability and even longevity of your soil and whatever is growing in is a worthwhile investment. Compost or fertilizer can ensure higher quality harvest at the end of growth period. Plant feed can ensure the health and quality of any flowers you may be growing.

Do your research to see which plants or crops need feed. It’s always a great idea to have your soil tested, too. Soil testing is generally available for a low cost via your local extension agency. They can test your soil and recommend whether you need any fertilizers to help ensure optimum plant growth.

Water it

Watering is incredibly important to the health and speed of growth of your entire garden. Plants and crops alike will seem to grow faster in the heat, but only if they are watered well.

Do not water when the sun is high in the sky as this can scold plants and leaves. Water your plants first thing in the morning when the sun is just rising. Watering last thing in the evening when the sun is just going to sleep is okay, too, but try to just water the soil, not the plant. Watering plants in the evening can encourage mold growth and diseases.

In extreme heat conditions, container plants may need to be watered twice daily. Be sure to check your plant’s needs. Some plants thrive better in dry soil with infrequent watering but most will benefit from a daily drink, when the temperatures are sweltering.

Invest in a sprinkler

One of the best ways to keep a low maintenance garden during the busy summertime is to simply invest in a sprinkler. Modern sprinklers can be bought with timers so that they only come on at a certain point. If you do not want one of these high-tech pieces of equipment, invest in a normal sprinkler and ask your neighbor turn it off for you at a certain time.

Hire garden helpers

When all else fails but you know that more than anything you want a beautiful garden for the summertime, hire a gardener. If your needs are simple, you may be able to hire a local youth to water and weed the garden regularly. If you have more complex needs, like custom landscaping, you’ll need to find an expert gardener or landscaper in your area.

Just remember; while you may be paying them to tend to your garden and water your plants, you will be the one that gets to enjoy it after a hard days work. It’s certainly wonderful to relax in the yard with a glass of wine taking in the sight of the beautiful sunset with the smell of gorgeous flowers as you wind down.

While there are countless things to consider when it comes to garden maintenance during the summer, sometimes, it is the simple things that are the important ones.

Proper planting, time management, health and stability of the soil and watering are the main things to consider. If you want to create a healthy and beautiful garden, don’t think too much into it, just do it and do what you have to do in order to make it happen!