Summer is an exciting time for garden enthusiasts. Flower beds are in bloom and many vegetables are ready to harvest. However, there are some things to be aware of during these hot days if you want your garden to be as successful as possible. Whether your plants are indoors or outdoors, follow our gardening tips to ensure their optimal health.
Tips for Outdoor Summer Gardens
For those with the land available, outdoor gardens are a fantastic place to spend the summer. Here are our top ways to keep them thriving.
- Shade New Plants. If you have plants that aren’t fully mature, the summer sun can scorch them. Identify these and add something to provide them shade. You could transplant them next to taller plants or purchase a small trellis.
- Water Regularly. All of your plants will be thirstier during the summer months. We recommend watering them in the morning so they’ll have enough to drink throughout the sunny day. Give them more water three days per week rather than less water every day.
- Provide The Necessary Nutrients. Look into the types of nutrients your plants need and fertilize accordingly. Slow-release fertilizer “spikes” that sink into the ground next to each plant can feed your flowers and vegetables all summer long.
- Get Rid of Pests. While the summer is good for your garden, it’s also good for common pests. You don’t want your plants eaten away by ants or beetles. And nobody wants to garden next to a wasp nest. Combat these invaders with a safe, effective pesticide.
- Prune Consistently. It’s inevitable that you’ll have some casualties in the garden. Branches can snap, or leaves become trampled. Keep an eye out for trouble spots and prune as necessary. This prevents airflow blockages and keeps the garden nice and tidy. Some plants and vegetables require consistent pruning to produce large crops and grow to their best advantage.
Tips for Indoor Summer Gardens
Not everyone has the right spot for an outdoor garden, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show off your green thumb anyway. Here are some indoor gardening tips.
- Use Space Wisely. Utilize the space you do have efficiently. Wall-mounted or hanging pots are a great way to maximize the area for indoor gardening. If you’re clever, you can plant multiple herbs in a hanging planter installation.
- Evaluate Sunny Spots. Most plants and vegetables crave the summer sun. Analyze the areas in your home where you’d like to have an indoor garden to see how many hours of sun they receive. Arrange the plants according to their sun needs.
- Choose The Proper Plants. Indoor gardens are great, but you need to be realistic about what they can support. Don’t plant veggies that need a large surface area to grow, such as squash or melons. Stick to herbs, chiles, microgreens, cherry tomatoes and other, similar options. Look for “container” or “patio” versions of your favorites, and avoid “indeterminate” varieties.
You can reap the benefits of gardening no matter where you live. Improve your physical and mental health by giving those green thumbs a workout!
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