Extremely high temperatures are a reality during summers in Australia, and it isn’t just people who face the risk of dehydration. Your garden’s plants are especially vulnerable during this time and you can lose all the hard work you did back in spring in a day if you aren’t careful.
Keeping your plants healthy during the long summer months may prove troublesome, but it isn’t impossible to do. Read on below for some ways you can ensure your garden’s health during summer.
Watering and keeping your soil moist
Make sure you give your plants an extra dose of water when the heat starts to climb. The important thing here is to make sure the soil is moist at all times so that the plants don’t dehydrate under the heat. Make sure your reticulation system is the right one for your garden and installed and optimised properly to keep your garden at its best even in hot seasons.
If you have potted plants, make sure to give them extra water. Plants like these generally have shorter roots and they are often the first to wither away during summer since they can’t get that much water from the soil. You may want to move them somewhere shady when you water them so that the soil doesn’t dry out quickly.
Speaking of soil, take special care handling plants that have generally sandy soil. These tend to dry out really fast, which can prove fatal if you don’t water them regularly. To help improve sandy soil keep it moisturized, mix it with some clay or add a wetting agent to help retain moisture better.
Think your soil or plants aren’t as healthy as they should be? Read our blog on checking for nutrient deficiencies.
Worrisome Weeds
Weeds tend to proliferate during the summer, and this can prove troublesome to your garden’s plants if they start popping out. Unlike your choice plants and flowers, they thrive in the heat as they are able to consume water more efficiently. The downside is that these weeds will start consuming all the water in the soil, leaving your plants parched and at risk of wilting and withering away.
You need to get rid of weeds as soon as possible after you see them growing in your lawn or garden them as soon as possible. Use a spade to remove the entire weed as it can regrow even if just a small part of its root remains in the soil. If there’s a persistent root, then you may want to get help from a professional to remove the weed thoroughly. Head here for methods of weed control you can use in your garden.
At Perth Gardening, we know that hydrating your plants and soil isn’t the only thing that you need to do to ensure your garden survives the harsh summer months. We provide extensive gardening services, from organic gardening, mulching, to weed control services.
Do you need help with your garden or lawn? Contact us today and let’s discuss how we can help.