by Stephen Gent, Owner
McDade’s Nursery
Stephen has 14+ years of experience in horticulture as Publisher and Marketing Director for Nursery Management and Production, Greenhouse Management and Production and Garden Center magazine.
An avid gardener with a lifelong passion for plants, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with customers.
With daytime temperatures in the 90’s and above, your landscape and garden plants are under extreme stress. Here are a few simple tips to keep your yard looking its best during the summer heat.
Make sure you are watering on a regular basis. The recommendation is to water 2 – 3 times a week in the morning, if possible. Be sure to water long enough so the root system grows deep rather than staying close to the soil surface. To get water, fertilizer and oxygen deep into the root system use deep drip tree stakes.
Check your irrigation system for leaks, clogs or breakages to make sure water is getting to all areas in your lawns and beds.
Plants in hanging baskets or pots require more attention as they can dry out very quickly. We recommend using a soil that can hold more water. At the Nursery we carry Miracle Gro’s Moisture Control Soil that holds up to 25% more water than native soils and Soil Moist granules that release water into the soil. These products are especially helpful if you plan to be out on vacation or are a Weekender.
Remember to adjust the height of your lawn mower blade to allow your grass to grow taller during the summer months. A thicker turf will be protected from the heat and will require less watering.
Check your garden regularly for insects and fungi. Plants with heat stress are more prone to disease. If you find a problem, take care of it as soon as possible using a recommended insecticide or fungicide. Both organic and non-organic products are available to stop and protect against insects and fungi.
In the last few weeks our residents of Cedar Creek Lake are seeing high levels of pests and disease especially on trees and lawns. Brown patch and other types of fungus are very common on lawns during August. If you are unsure of the problem, bring in a sample twig or leaf to the Nursery and we’ll help you diagnose it and offer a solution.
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