Summer means hot days, colourful icy-poles, bare feet, spontaneous BBQs and dips in the ocean. It can also mean holiday adventures and time away from home. While you’re making the most of the season, don’t forget to take care of your plants. Here are our top tips to keep your garden thriving throughout the warmer weather.

1. Water

It might seem obvious but watering is crucial over summer, especially for new seedlings and pot plants. Water regularly and wisely. Give your garden a good, deep soak in the morning so it stays cool under the summer sun. Check your irrigation system is working well so that nothing’s left forgotten.

2. Mulch

Mulching is a great way to keep the soil cool and helps to stop water evaporating which is very handy if you’re heading away on holidays.

3. Lengthier lawn

Allowing your lawn to grow a little longer than usual helps to avoid heat stress. If it’s cut too short, the ground can be exposed to the harsh sun and it will dry out quickly. Feed it with an organic lawn food and water regularly to ensure a gorgeous green patch perfect for picnicking or lolling about in the shade.

4. Protect potted plants

Water indoor plants frequently and dust or wipe leaves to keep them clean and healthy. Make sure that indoor plants are free from direct afternoon sun to avoid any burning of leaves. On super hot days, you may also like to move outdoor pots into the shade, where possible. If you’re going away it’s a good idea to pop your indoor plants in the bath (if you have one) with a small amount of water to keep them hydrated.

5. A little extra love

If plants are looking a little forlorn from the heat, apply some liquid seaweed in your water to give them a boost. Seasol is a great addition to your gardening kit and will help give your plants a little extra love during the summer months.

What to plant in summer?

For kitchen gardens, the perfect choices are:

• Silver beet
• Lettuce
• Beans
• Corn
• Leek
• Eggplant
• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin
• Zucchini
• Tomatoes

Colourful and delicious!

The best herbs to plant at this time of year are:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Lemongrass

If you love mint (the perfect addition to chilled water or a Summer cocktail) plant in a pot – it will grow wild in a garden.

Your pre-Christmas To Do list:

Take care of your plants before the holiday season kicks in so that when it arrives you can relax knowing your gorgeous garden is sitting pretty.

• Feed your garden with an organic fertiliser (visit us at the nursery or give us a call if you’re unsure of which to use)
• Weed & mulch
• If you have a vegie patch, stake your tomatoes to keep them off the ground
• Deadhead any old flowers to make way for new blooms
• Plant colour in your garden (think festive green and red – glorious!)
• Water your garden with Seasol and a rewetting agent to reduce heat stress

If you need any help or further tips, shout out below, on Facebook or Instagram, give us a call or visit us at the nursery. We’ve got a wealth of knowledge that we’re always keen to share.

Happy gardening!