MIDSUMMER GARDENING CHECKLIST – Green-Thumb Gardener

As we get ready to enter the midsummer season, it is time to double check your gardening upkeep chores. As the weather can be known for extremes during this time of the year, plants are trying to adjust to these changes as well. Here are some things to check on:

Annuals: Make sure to maintain watering and preferably that gets done in the morning so the leaves can dry and not be wet overnight. Drier leaves are less likely to have plant disease issues. Hanging baskets should be checked daily to determine watering needs as there is a lot of plant material in a very small water holding space. Remember that even on cloudy days, a breeze causes a lot of evaporation of water out of your plants. Maintain fertilization, as many of these plants are heavy feeders since they do so much blooming. Don’t be afraid to give them an occasional haircut to promote branching and remove the seed heads left by spent flowers.

Perennials: Make sure to maintain watering as stated above. If you are using a slow release fertilizer, check your timing on length of duration from your application time and factor in any excessive rain to determine how long it should last. Try to control weeds so they aren’t absorbing much of the water that is received. If you choose to remove spent blooms, some of your perennial varieties will be more likely to bloom again.

Woody ornamentals (trees, shrubs, roses): As the root systems are typically much deeper on these, make sure your water is actually soaking in past the root ball. A soaker hose or drip irrigation system will provide more effective watering than a bucket or hose nozzle. Make sure that your roses stay appropriately fertilized and watch for the many pests that enjoy your roses to arrive in your garden at this time of the year. Try to limit or eliminate your use of pesticides as much as possible to protect pollinators.

Leaf diseases: Remember that cool nights with lots of dew encourage these types of diseases. Use good watering practices and try to keep your plants a bit more open for good air circulation. Some plants require the use of fungicides to prevent these from occurring as these products are preventative, not curative.

Your local garden centers will be happy to help with any questions you may have about your plants.

This article is sponsored by McNamara at Sand Point, which has 2 acres of production greenhouses, retail florist and gift shop, as well as retail garden center and wholesale plant business. Contact McNamara by calling 260-747-4131 or visit 4322 DeForest Ave, Ft. Wayne, IN 46809.