4 Tips for Beating Summer Plant Stress
Summer is a great time for humans and plants, but can be stressful as well. Various issues such as drought, heat, and sunscald can hinder plant growth and lead to their decline. With the right strategies and products, you can beat the heat and help plants survive the summer. Here are our best tips:
Water Deeply in the Morning
Having strong and well-maintained roots will help plants survive through hot and dry conditions. Plants, of course, need water to survive, and to make sure your plants are getting enough water to deal with the heat, make sure you water deeply. Don’t just water the top level of soil. Make sure water is getting deep into the ground by applying more water than you think you’ll need. It also pays to water earlier in the day, before higher heat can evaporate the water.
Mulch Gardens and Trees
Consider laying down mulch around trees and in garden beds for additional protection. A layer of mulch will help retain moisture in the soil, as well as suppress weed growth, slow soil warming, yet still allows for watering and gas exchanges. Use an organic substance such as wood chips or straw. Pine straw can be considered for plants that favor more acidic soil conditions, such as azaleas and blueberries.
Plant and Fertilize at the Right Time
Summer isn’t a time for new plantings. That should be done in spring or fall! In summer, when heat is higher and plants are more easily stressed, they won’t be able to spend sufficient amounts of energy to become established. In the cooler spring and fall months, plants have a better chance of starting off right. These are also the right time to apply fertilizer and soil amendments: it’s not a good idea to encourage extra plant growth when it’s too hot for plants to stay healthy!
Choose the Right Products
Make sure you apply the right products to give your plants the boost they need. These are our recommendations:
- Hydretain: make sure you have sufficient available water by applying Hydretain, which converts water vapor in the soil back to plant-usable water. It’s an essential part of any landscape plan.
- Bio MP: slow-release carbon in the form of molasses will give roots the energy they need to grow and thrive over a long period of time, and encourage soil microbe growth.
- CytoGro: encourage root growth and further cell division with the cytokinin hormones in this biostimulant. It’s great for increasing stress tolerance and delaying plant wilt, too.
With the right planning and products, you can be ready for summer stress and mitigate damage in your plants. Get out there and take control of your summer landscape!
