New Plants – Summer Gardening Tips
Summer is here and with that certain challenges to maintaining new plants appear. But not to worry, with these tips anyone can be successful at gardening during our long, hot summers 
Container Grown Plants
- Porous Potting Soil. Potting mixes are porous, meaning that the soil has minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass. Because of this, it is important to water your plants every day (potentially even twice a day) while still in the container.
- Black, Heat Absorbing Pots. Our containers are black and will absorb heat. Hot roots, hot plants. We would encourage keeping the plants in a shaded area if you will not be planting them right away.
- Root Bound Plants. Plants in containers can become root bound, meaning that the roots make up a large mass in the pot. Water these plants, while in the container, daily, even more depending on how hot it is. Our best advice, however, is to get it planted rather than having them sit around. Tease out the roots before planting to give them a helping hand. Using a knife or a 3 pronged cultivator, you can score the root ball.
- Here in the nursery our perennials are being watered twice a day, and many are also getting hand watered a third time. Watering once a day may not be enough.
Water Water Water!
- Water is life. Without adequate water newly planted plants may suffer or die.
- Sprinklers and drip lines just does not cut it. Hand water your new plants daily. Watering twice daily may be needed as the temperatures go above 93°.
- When prepping to plant, soak the area well so that the ground is ready for its new arrivals. Make sure the plants in containers are well watered. After planting, water the area and your new plants again.
- Water your new plants EVERYDAY. Our best and personal advice is to hand water. Drag out that hose!
- We also recommend deep soaking the area once a week; leave the hose running slowly in an area for 30 minutes to an hour. Deep soaking an area guarantee that the entire planting bed will be watered.
- Keep an eye on the root ball. If you are unsure if your plant is getting adequate water, dig down and check the root ball. If the root ball is not wet, but the area around it is, the plant is not getting enough water. This is why we recommend hand watering. Hand watering gives you control so that you can guarantee yourself that the root ball of your new plant is getting watered.
