It’s not too hot to add color and keep things healthy

Gardening in Texas in July may seem like an oxymoron, but there are easy steps to take now to keep your garden healthy, colorful and ready for the fall.

Don your sunhat and sunglasses for these summer gardening tips.

Some plants like it hot

Do not despair at empty flowerpots or lifeless spots in your garden, there are plants and flowers that thrive in the heat. Here are a few to consider:

  • Cacti and Succulents – These camels of the garden contain up to 99% water in their leaves, making them perfect additions to flowerpots and empty beds. Red yuccas are an especially hearty option. Learn more about succulents here.https://superavitservices.com/2018/08/designed-for-heat-stunning-succulents-cacti/
  • Colorful heat lovers – Zinnias and pentas are especially adapted to the heat and bring color to a struggling landscape.
  • Robust natives – coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are a great choice for color and growth in the heat.
  • Food crops – You can even begin your autumn food garden now by planting pumpkin, squash, corn and okra.

Protect your garden from the heat

Summer heat and reduced water threatens the health of your garden by depleting soil of vital nutrients. It is too hot, however, to replenish with traditional fertilizers which are too strong for heat-stressed plants. 

In summer heat, however, you can safely and gently fertilize with a compost and mulch blanket, which retains moisture and slowly releases gentle nutrients. Make sure that you have no exposed soil by covering them to protect against the suns harsh rays.

You can also use seaweed fertilizer once a month for more stressed plants. Learn more about how to use seaweed fertilizers.

6 ways seaweed boosts your summer garden

Tree and plants trimming

As temperatures rise, the risk of pests diminish and it is safe to trim your red oak and live oak trees. It is also important to keep up with deadheading spent blooms, clearing away weeds and gentle pruning to redirect energy within your plants. 

Easy flowerbed prep

If you are looking forward to the fall planting season, you can use summer’s heat to prepare your new no-dig garden bed or garden path. Solarization is a process that uses heat to eliminate weeds or grass. Simply place cardboard or newspaper in layers and cover with mulch or leaves to set. Water it regularly and by fall, your new flowerbed will be ready.