Tag Archive for: fertilize

What You Shouldn’t Be Doing in the Early Summer Garden

Pruning tree suckers in the summer desert garden

Navigating the Hot Early Summer in Your Desert Garden

The Scorching Reality of Early Summer

I don’t need to tell you that early summer desert garden is hot. In mid-June, we typically experience several days of extreme heat. I have many people who ask me what garden tasks CAN they do in their garden right now.

Well, the answer is an easy one…

Do as little as possible.

Embracing Minimalism in Garden Tasks

June is a very stressful time of year for plants because it is very hot and dry so it makes sense to heatproof your garden. Both of these conditions make it hard on plants. In fact, June is the hardest time of year for most plants.

In other words, don’t add new plants, do unneeded pruning, or fertilize.

If you find yourself with new plants still in their nursery pots, put them in a shady spot and water them regularly as they will dry out fast!

heatproof summer desert garden

Careful with New Additions and Pruning

Pruning is also stressful for plants so limit your pruning to getting your trees ready for monsoon season. If you have some suckers growing mature trees (see photo above), you can prune them off.

Don’t fertilize plants now. Most plants don’t need it with the exception of flowering annuals, herbs, vegetables, and smaller palm trees.

Keep a Watchful Eye on the Summer Desert Garden Plants

In the meantime, get out early in the morning before it gets too hot to make sure there aren’t any plants that are struggling. You may need to add more water or provide temporary shade.

Toward the end of June, the monsoon season will be on its way with extra humidity and hopefully rain, which will provide some relief for plants.

What to Do In The Southwest Garden – September

I am so glad that September is finally here!

Oh, I realize that it is still hot, but if you look carefully, there are signs that summer is beginning to wane.  The days are becoming shorter and you can see lengthening shadows at days end.

Fall is a busy time in the garden if you live in the desert Southwest, because that is the best time to add new plants to the garden.

Are you wondering what to do in your garden this month?  Here is my latest garden article from Houzz.com

Southwest Gardener’s September Checklist

 

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What are your plans for the garden this month?

**There is still time to enter the giveaway for a fabulous book, “Gardening for the Birds: How to Create a Bird-Friendly Backyard”.

I’ll announce the winner tomorrow!