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Gardening Calendar
We now enter the fun months for gardening in Arkansas. Temperatures are
heating up, natural rainfall can be hit and miss, and insects and diseases have
found their foothold. Try to garden smart, working early in the day. Watering in
the early daytime hours is also better - the foliage dries quicker, the moisture
can work its way into the root profile before the heat stresses the plants, and
we lose less water to evaporation. Cutting flowers for indoor bouquets and
harvesting vegetables in the early part of the day can also improve their
lasting power and flavor.
Insects
When temperatures heat up and dry weather occurs, some insects start to build
up in large numbers. Aphids, white flies and spider mites are all poor swimmers
and thrive in dry conditions. Using a spray from the garden hose can knock them
down, but pay attention and try to catch them when they get started. There are
numerous insecticides on the market that can work. As with any pest problem, the
sooner you catch them, the easier they are to control. Other insects which are
becoming a problem include grasshoppers. They can ravage a plant in a short
amount of time, so move quickly when you see problems.
Tomatoes
If you are growing tomatoes - the number one vegetable in the home garden,
don’t be alarmed if your plants quit setting fruit in the hottest days of
summer. Many varieties won’t set fruit if the daytime temperatures exceed 95 and
the nighttime temps stay above 75 degrees. Keep the plants watered and mulched,
and they should rebound and begin to set fruit once the temperatures settle
down. If the plants are strong and viable they can continue to bear through
frost. If blights have taken their toll, consider starting some new plants from
the suckers of your existing plants, or buying new plants. August is the time to
plant your fall garden, but do remember that fall gardens require diligence in
keeping diseases and insects away. Water will be a huge factor as well. Mulching
the garden can keep down weeds and help to conserve moisture.
Moisture and Nutrition
The main ingredient for success in a summer garden in Arkansas is ample
moisture. Flowers will continue to bloom if they have enough to drink. If summer
annuals are beginning to get leggy, pinch them back and lightly fertilize.
Remember when using fertilizers or pesticides that it is important to have ample
moisture in the plants before applying products. If the plants are too stressed,
they may take up all the chemicals and suffer burn. Heat loving annuals that are
thriving now include angelonia - summer snapdragon, alternanthera ‘Party Time’,
Coleus, lantana and penta. The wave petunias should also be constantly blooming,
provided you have been fertilizing. These plants are heavy feeders and will stop
blooming without ample nutrition and water. Impatiens need water to thrive, but
will take the heat well. If you need some extra summer color, plants are still
available at nurseries and garden centers statewide. Tropical flowering plants
can really stand up to the heat and give you fabulous blooms up until frost.
Fertilization is important - especially if you are growing them in containers.
Container grown plants often need daily watering in the summer months. This
constant watering leaches nutrition out of the soil quicker. Use a slow release
granule and follow that up with a water soluble form. Fertilizing every two to
four weeks should give you outstanding results.
Perennials
Perennial plants that are in their prime now include the Echinacea’s
(Coneflowers), Rudbeckia, hosta’s, and the agastache or hyssop. Coreopsis will
be ending its bloom cycle at the end of summer, so allow the last set of flowers
to set seed. Save the seeds to sow in October. Hardy hibiscus plants are
blooming now as well. The dinner size blossoms are a show stopper. Be sure to
give them ample moisture and sunlight for the best performance. Varieties range
in mature size from 24 inches to six feet or more. Choose based on maximum size.
Flower colors range from whites, pinks and reds. Summer blooming shrubs and or
trees include crape myrtle, vitex, althea (Rose-of Sharon), buddleia and summer
spiraea. Deadheading the spent blooms will send more flowers your way. If the
summer spiraea has gotten a bit leggy a light haircut can also thicken it back
up with only a slight delay between blooming. Water is the main thing for care
now. Fertilization this late is usually not needed. Roses will still benefit
from fertilization through mid September, but again, don’t fertilize late in the
day and pay attention if they are heat stressed.
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