Staying Green Through the Hottest Month!
It’s the hottest part of the year, and while we can hide out in the air conditioning, our plants can’t. So here are some simple tips to keep your flower and herb containers thriving when the mercury is rising.
Fertilizer
For containers, fertilizer is a great idea – they need thorough daily watering in this heat, but too much water can strip the nutrients from the soil. Adding a slow-release fertilizer can help restore what the water leaches away, providing a better environment for your plants.
Container Type
Different materials retain moisture differently; and in the hottest part of the summer, sometimes a small difference can make all the difference. Plastic or glazed pottery pots retain moisture better than terra cotta pots. But frequently terra cotta provides the best look – an easy solution to that is to hide a plastic inner pot with your outer beautiful pot!
Soil Covering
Shredded bark, gravel, small pebbles, marbles- all of these provide an attractive top layer to your containers. Adding them can also help the soil retain moisture and reflect some of the day’s heat.
Location
If your plants seem to be struggling by noon, think about moving them into partial shade, or a location that only gets morning sun. And for plants that need a lot of watering, putting them next to your hose will make everybody happy!
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