Our Essential Summer Gardening Tips

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There’s nothing better than having a lush backyard to relax in during the summer months. But with high temperatures and harsh elements against you, it can feel like an uphill battle trying to keep your outdoor oasis looking fresh during the hot season.

 

Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep your garden looking its best even on the hottest of days. If you need some ideas on how to keep your garden blooming all summer long, here are some of our top summer garden care tips:

Be waterwise

Keeping to a regular watering schedule is important all year round, but it’s particularly important during the warmer seasons. The high temperatures and extreme weather conditions that come along with summer mean that you have to pay even more close attention to your watering schedule when the thermometer starts to rise.

To prevent the summer elements from destroying all your hard work, your garden will need plenty of water to survive through the season. But how often should you water your garden in summer? And are you supposed to water your plants every day when it’s hot?

 

Watering frequency all depends on the variety of plants in your garden and the local climate of your region. But generally speaking, it’s quality over quantity when it comes to summer watering. Watering plants every day for a few minutes won’t allow the water to seep deep into the soil, which is why watering less often, but deeply and thoroughly, is the better option. A good rule of thumb is to water new plants with a deep soak twice a week for the first month, and then once a week from there on out. 

 

The best time to water your garden is when sun exposure is at its lowest. We always recommend getting your watering done either early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water evaporation.

 

Manually watering plants can be time-consuming, so if you’re a time-poor gardener, it may be worth considering installing an irrigation system with an automated watering cycle to save you some time.

Lay down mulch

Laying down mulch is one of the best things you can do to protect your garden from the extreme heat. Mulch is magic for any garden; it prevents weeds, reduces erosion, and most importantly – retains moisture. In fact, mulching can reduce watering by up to 60%, so you’ll be doing good for both your plants and water bill.

 

There are plenty of mulch options out there on the market, from pea straw, to sugar cane, to bark chips. Organic mulch is preferable in most cases because the material can break down and add nutrients to your soil. Inorganic mulches such as pebbles, gravel, and plastic, on the other hand, may last longer, but these varieties don’t contribute directly to the soil.

Plan for extra shade 

Although sunlight is essential for the growth of any plant, too much can cause harm. During summer, one of the key challenges that every home gardener is faced with is figuring out how to control the level of sun exposure in their garden. Planting established shrubs or building a structure such as a pergola or arbour are some DIY-friendly ways to create shaded areas in your backyard. 

 

If you need a quick fix, removable shade covers and cloths are extremely efficient ways to create shaded environments in a pinch. These come in handy in instances where you need to cover plants that are particularly vulnerable to the heat (like veggie or fruit seedlings) quickly and effectively. 

For advice on how to create strategic shaded areas in your garden, you can speak to your local gardener in Australia or New Zealand to explore landscaping options and ideas. 

Look into full-sun plants

To maximise the colours in your summer garden, consider planting full-sun plant varieties. These types of plants flower all summer long and can thrive even in the face of high temperatures and sun exposure. Some popular summer flowering picks include:

  • Hydrangeas
  • Hibiscus
  • Frangipani
  • Gardenia
  • Kangaroo paws
  • Lavender

 

If you live in a dry area, designing a drought-tolerant garden can reduce maintenance time and improve the future viability of your garden. Contacting a local gardener who’s familiar with the climate and conditions of your region is a great way to begin building a sustainable and efficient garden.

Organise an ‘end of summer’ clean-up

Making time to clean up your garden once summer ends is the key to maintaining a healthy and thriving garden. Some key tasks to get done at the end of the summer season include:

  • Weeding the garden;
  • Cleaning up your patio furniture;
  • Saving seeds from plants that performed well and storing them for next season;
  • Clearing garden space by removing any annual plants that have stopped producing;
  • Preparing the soil for autumn by spreading manure or compost.

 

They say that a good gardener is a prepared gardener. Taking the time to prepare your garden for the cooler seasons is a great way to set your garden up for success once the next growing season comes around. 

 

If you need a helping hand around the garden this summer, get in touch with your local Jim’s Mowing gardening expert. Whether you need assistance with mulching or advice on garden design, our specialist gardeners are always on-hand to answer all your gardening enquiries. Get your free quote today by calling 131 546 (AU), 0800 454 654 (NZ), or enquiring online in Australia or New Zealand, and Jim’s Group.

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