Tips for Planting in Hot Weather

 

While conventional wisdom holds spring and fall as the prime time to plant perennials and shrubs, summer planting can be just as successful in many gardens. To be clear, we’re talking about new plantings, not transplanting established plants. The stress of digging up, dividing and replanting in a new location, combined with summer’s heat would prove too much for most trees, shrubs and perennials.

In contrast, removing a well-rooted shrub or perennial from its container adds minimal shock to the plant, because you didn’t dig the plant up. While heat and other summer conditions may still strain new plantings, with a little care and preparation, you can minimize the stress. What you’ll need: 

• Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost  

• Starter fertilizer with Mycorrhizae  

• Mountain Magic Soil Pep 

 

The key to planting now is to lay the foundation for the plant to develop good root systems. To accomplish this, incorporate organic material into the planting site at 50:50 ratio with the existing soil.

Rich in trace minerals, organic material and beneficial microbes, Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost improves the soil’s physical and biological health, essential for initial planting as well as sustained growth. Plan to dig the planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and once again as deep. Once the planting hole is dug, fill it with water and observe how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than five minutes, add more organic material.

Next, add I/2 cup of ferti•lome All Purpose Plant Food (4-4-4) or Happy Frog All Purpose (6-4-5) to the planting hole and work it in. Both products contain mycorrhizae to help develop more robust root systems and improve nutrient uptake.

Remove the plant from its pot, center it in the hole and back fill with amended soil, using enough to create a shallow basin to facilitate watering. Keep plants evenly moist. This is best done by checking each plant daily and hand watering as necessary. Water slowly. Fill the moat you built around each plant and let the water slowly seep in. Don’t rely on automatic irrigation for the first few weeks. Applying mulch to new plantings is an effective way to conserve water and reduce heat stress on your plants.  

A 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of Mountain Magic Soil Pep mulch can reduce moisture loss from your soil due to evaporation.  

Plant in the evening. This will give the new plant some 8 to 10 hours to begin acclimating without the stress of direct sun and high temperatures.  

Provide some shade in the late afternoon. This could be as simple as draping shade cloth across some patio chairs or spare tomato cages.  

Planting during the warm summer months can be successful if you prepare the soil properly and water consistently.