Sarah Yang
Summer can be an exciting month for gardening when you think about everything that's in season (dahlias, tomatoes, and so much more), but with rising temperatures, scorching sun, and unwelcome pests taking over, your garden may need a little bit more TLC during this time of year. "Dry soil, wilted plants, overgown weeds, and brown grass are common signs of an unhealthy garden," Danny Watson, The Home Depot garden center associate, says.
"Thankfully there are easy ways to combat these problems."
But where do you even start? Watson shared his best advice for summer gardening with us. If you follow these care tips your garden will look lush and vibrant all summer long, which is ideal if you're planning on hosting a lot of backyard gatherings this year. Don't worry, it won't take up too much of your time (or cost too much money), so you can prep and care for your garden and still be able to hit the beach, head out on your road trip, or just enjoy a lazy summer afternoon at home.
Be smart about watering
While the temperature may be warmer and drier, you don't have to spend every moment of your free time watering your plants. Watson says it's all about being smarter about watering. "The typical rule of thumb is to water flowerbeds twice a week with plenty of water," he says. "This will be more effective than watering the flowerbeds more frequently, with less water."
Don't water at night
It might seem like a good idea to do this task when you get home from work, but think again. "Try avoid watering plants in the evening-the warmth and moisture encourages fungus growth," he says. "As we head into the hottest part of the summer, try to do your heaviest watering in the morning. Only water in the evening if the plant really needs it." He also advises against watering in the middle of the day when it's the hottest as the soil will soak up the water faster, leaving less for the plants to use.
The writer is a freelancer
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