How to Keep Your Flowers Vibrant and Lively Despite the Heat
Maintaining a healthy flower garden proves itself to have many obstacles during a normal summer season, let alone when Mother Nature throws in unprecedented hurdles.
With record-high heat hitting the Midwest, and ongoing wildfires in Canada, many gardeners have found it nearly impossible to keep their flowers looking their best. Common issues may include a combination of dry soil, heat exhaustion, and accumulation of dead plant material, but these areas of concern can be remedied. If you are experiencing trouble with keeping your flowers alive or are looking for ways to keep them in top shape for the rest of the season, keep reading for a list of expert tips and tricks!
Best Watering Practices
Keeping flowers moist during a season of high heat and drought is the most crucial aspect of your garden’s success. Plants should always feel moist to the touch but should never feel soggy. Too much water at once will have an adverse effect on the health of your flowers, so it is in your best interest to water slowly. Many gardeners find success with a drip irrigation system, as it provides a slow, steady flow of water that thoroughly permeates the soil.
The summer heat may be affecting how well your water is reaching the roots, but if a drip irrigation system doesn’t work for your lifestyle, there are other ways to mitigate the problem. Fill a basin with a few inches of water and place your container inside to soak until the soil is rehydrated.
Word to the Wise: Flowers in 8-10” hanging baskets aren’t very successful under elevated temperatures. Instead, find larger hanging baskets or transplant smaller plants into larger containers. Larger containers with more soil area won't dry out at the rate plants in small pots do.
The Power of Pruning
Plants may try to make seed when they are overworked in the heat. New seed takes energy away from any new or current growth on your flowers, making it much harder for them to thrive. Remove seed heads and dead petals to encourage your plant to spend its energy on creating new blooms. Additionally, you should remove any weeds as you find them: they will also starve your flowers of the nutrients they need to flourish.
Work With Your Environment
Working with the surrounding environment instead of against it will also aid in maintaining a successful flower garden. Consider growing plants that work well in warmer temperatures.
Lantanas, geraniums, and a number of other plant species are extremely tolerant to heat and drought conditions.
You will also want to pay attention to any pests that may be infiltrating your area. Many weeds exist as breeding grounds for insects, and therefore diseases, that pose a danger to the health and vitality of your flowers.
Providing additional shade in areas of direct sunlight will also help your flowers thrive over time. Giving them a break from the sun’s rays allows them to stock up on the energy they need to survive. For instance, move potted plants into shaded areas in your yard, or place an umbrella over your planted garden.
By implementing these slight changes into your gardening routine, you can significantly alter the course set by the summer heat. Adapt to the environment around you and keep your flowers fed, your garden will thank you for it!
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