Cincinnati Gardening Made Simple: Summer Plant Tips

It’s time for summer gardening! What should you be doing in the garden? Ron Wilson shares his advice and summer plant tips for keeping your garden looking great throughout the summer.

“Can I still plant trees and shrubs in the summer?”

Absolutely!  With so many things being grown in containers, plant selection has never been better for summer planting.  As for watering, it’s no different watering a plant planted today, then watering one that was planted 2 months ago.  They still need regular watering.  The only big drawback is that you may sweat more! Make sure to ask our tree experts or research to find the perfect tree. Search our tree library.

How much should I water my plants in the summer?

• Keep watering as needed.  A general rule of thumb for established plants and turf is 1-inch rainfall every 10 days or so.  A rain gauge will tell how much rain has fallen in your yard. Don’t count on the weather reports!  Newly planted trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials may need watering more often.  Check soil moisture before watering.
• For established trees, evergreens and shrubs, try using a “Ross Root Feeder”.  For landscape beds, try stationary sprinklers or soaker hoses.  “Tree Water Bags” are good for newly planted (or up to 3-inch diameter) trees.
• Water deeply and thoroughly each time, water the soil, not the foliage, and try to water between 5 am and 9 am.
• Keep fluffing the mulch to prevent crusting of the top layer.  Mulch helps to prevent weeds, control soil temperatures, and maintain soil moisture.

How should I control weeds in my garden during the summer?

You can keep weeds under control by hand weeding, spot spraying, pre-emergent herbicides, and mulching.  -Garden during the cooler hours.

Should I deadhead my flowers in summer?

You want to keep deadheading spent flowers on annuals and perennials to encourage new growth and new flowers.  And, cut back leggy annuals to rejuvenate the plant.

Should I feed my plants during the summer months?

• Here is a vegetable garden checklist for the month of June:
• Be sure to continue to feed roses, perennials, annuals, veggies, etc., as needed.  Container plantings usually require a little more frequent feeding.
• What should I be doing in the my vegetable garden in the summer?
• Watch for hornworms on tomato plants.
• Keep harvesting veggies, fruits, and herbs as needed.
• Watch out for Blossom End Rot on tomatoes?
• Keep even soil moisture and add calcium to the soil.
• Start to plan your fall edible garden because many of them can be planted in late July including beets, squash, cabbage, radishes, collards, carrots, beans, turnips, cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach.
• Use bird netting to protect berries and fruits from the birds.

How should I care for my trees in the summer months?

We already discussed watering. Now, you want to remove dead branches, water sprouts, and suckers as needed.  Also, stop pruning spring-flowering shrubs if you want to protect next year’s flowers.

“What should I use for bagworms on my Blue Spruce?”.

Oils cannot be used on Blue Spruce, as it will turn the blue to green.  Although, this can be a great trick to play on the neighbor. No-no, just kidding.  I like Bonide’s, Captain Jacks Deadbug Brew an all-natural and organic product that works great!  If you have the time, handpicking works too.

Have a plant question? Ask the plant experts!