Sizzling Summer Myths
Here are a few myths that people truly believe about gardening in the Summer. Each year we hear the same things and each year we try to dispel these rumors. And here we go again:
"Plants can't be over watered in this heat". Wrong.....It is very easy to over water in the Summer. Be sure and dig down and check the soil for moisture. If it's wet, you do not need to water more. Be sure and let plants dry out between watering. Plants in fact need to dry out. This practice will greatly cut down on disease, thus your yard will be more healthy. Along the same subject lines, make sure when you do water, to water long and deep. This will encourage your plants to root more deeply letting them actually go longer between watering.
"Don't fertilize in the heat, it will burn your plants". Wrong again......Fertilizing is crucial to plant health. Feed once a month unless plants go dormant (loose their leaves) or are frost tender. In these cases you would not feed in the Winter. As long as you feed with an organic, slow release fertilizer you should have no trouble with burning. I like to feed in the early morning and don't forget to water the fertilizer in very well. Remember plants need nutrition all year in order to look good and perform well, so don't starve them in the Summer.
"It's too late to put down pre emergents. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR SEED CONTROL! Each season has it's own crop of weeds, so give yourself a break and don't forget to get those pre emergents down in the Summer. Spurge, oxalis and crabgrass are all Summer weeds that would love you to believe this myth and skip your application. Ideally June 1 is a good time to get ahead of the weeds, but if you missed that date, get the seed control down now. Remember spurge can reseed every 3 days! That could ruin a perfectly good Summer!
"You can't prune in the Summer". Not so, Summer is the time to do the last pruning of Azaleas and Camellias. Ideally mid July, go ahead and do them right now if you haven't pruned them yet. They set flowers late Summer or early Fall for Spring bloom, so let's get it done. You can shape and lightly prune through out the year to keep all your plants in shape and looking good. Remember to check before you start cutting ....different plants different pruning times.
Hopefully these Summer Tips can make your yard look a little better and make your plants a little happier!
Come by and check out our new location...........and our "Sizzling Summer Specials"
Robby's Nursery
4002 Terracotta Ct
Bakersfield CA 93314 588-0859
"Plants can't be over watered in this heat". Wrong.....It is very easy to over water in the Summer. Be sure and dig down and check the soil for moisture. If it's wet, you do not need to water more. Be sure and let plants dry out between watering. Plants in fact need to dry out. This practice will greatly cut down on disease, thus your yard will be more healthy. Along the same subject lines, make sure when you do water, to water long and deep. This will encourage your plants to root more deeply letting them actually go longer between watering.
"Don't fertilize in the heat, it will burn your plants". Wrong again......Fertilizing is crucial to plant health. Feed once a month unless plants go dormant (loose their leaves) or are frost tender. In these cases you would not feed in the Winter. As long as you feed with an organic, slow release fertilizer you should have no trouble with burning. I like to feed in the early morning and don't forget to water the fertilizer in very well. Remember plants need nutrition all year in order to look good and perform well, so don't starve them in the Summer.
"It's too late to put down pre emergents. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR SEED CONTROL! Each season has it's own crop of weeds, so give yourself a break and don't forget to get those pre emergents down in the Summer. Spurge, oxalis and crabgrass are all Summer weeds that would love you to believe this myth and skip your application. Ideally June 1 is a good time to get ahead of the weeds, but if you missed that date, get the seed control down now. Remember spurge can reseed every 3 days! That could ruin a perfectly good Summer!
"You can't prune in the Summer". Not so, Summer is the time to do the last pruning of Azaleas and Camellias. Ideally mid July, go ahead and do them right now if you haven't pruned them yet. They set flowers late Summer or early Fall for Spring bloom, so let's get it done. You can shape and lightly prune through out the year to keep all your plants in shape and looking good. Remember to check before you start cutting ....different plants different pruning times.
Hopefully these Summer Tips can make your yard look a little better and make your plants a little happier!
Come by and check out our new location...........and our "Sizzling Summer Specials"
Robby's Nursery
4002 Terracotta Ct
Bakersfield CA 93314 588-0859
