tips & tricks
“GARDENING DURING
any season comes with
tips and guidelines, but
summertime can be one
of the most brutal.”
Preventative Measures
Avoidance is only half the battle.
Knowing how to prevent the summer’s
heat from overwhelming your garden is the
other. Maintaining a 90°F environment can be
accomplished through a combination of shading,
consistent watering, and weeding.
The golden rule is to keep your soil moist. Maintain
moisture throughout the soil by watering up to twice a
day if necessary. Water in the morning when the water
can best infiltrate the soil and again in the late afternoon
if the soil is feeling crusty. Water at the base of the plants
for maximum absorption.
As mentioned, watering your plant's leaves can be more
damaging than beneficial. Instead, shade your garden with
a maneuverable protective screen, which saves water lost to
evaporation and can reduce the temperature surrounding your garden
by 10 degrees. A white sheet, netting, or something akin to a porch
screen will afford your garden an appropriate amount of protection
without overdoing it. Just make sure the shade is placed a few feet away
from the plants to allow for airflow.
Finally, reduce the competition. Your garden is full of thirsty roots,
competing for every bit of water they can find. Unwelcome weeds can sprout
up and siphon water away from your preferred plants, slowly choking them
to death. To combat this, simply pull out weeds when you go to water your
plants before too many can take root. A little work here and there will produce
better results than waiting for your garden to be consumed.
Recommended Plants
All avoidance and preventative methods may mean very little if you’re
trying to grow the wrong plants within the wrong season. Some plants
simply won’t grow in certain temperatures, so choosing what your garden
will be comprised of is important.
Tomatoes, corn, and squash
are great vegetables for the
summer months. In fact, they
thrive in higher temperatures.
They still need shade, water,
and general maintenance, but
these vegetables are geneti-
cally built to manage the
summer heat.
Gardening during any season
has its challenges, but summer
can be one of the most brutal.
Heat dries up the soil and
burns a plant’s sensitive
leaves. However, the secrets to
growing during the hot summer
are simple: keep your plants
shaded and well hydrated.
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grow cycle