Caring for Your Utah Garden in the Summer
Summer brings unique challenges and opportunities for Utah gardeners. Your trees, flowers, and lawn need extra attention during this season. Hopefully, our summer gardening tips allow you to care for your garden more efficiently without using too much time, water, and effort.
Is it still possible to plant in the summertime? Yes, it is! As the saying goes “if you can dig, you can plant”. There are some suggestions we make for summer planting: 1 – you need to be extra diligent with your establishment watering as those new roots will need the support while they grow. 2 – Be conscientious of how you handle the rootball as added unnecessary stress (bouncing, breaking, chopping them up) can be difficult for a plant even in the best of weather conditions. To learn more, check out these two videos go in-depth on how to care for them more easily throughout the summer months:
Some extra watering tips: Remember to adjust your care routine as temperatures climb, ensuring your plants get the extra attention they need during this hot season. We highly recommend long, deep soakings, less often. This helps push water down deeper into the soil, and the roots will grow toward the water source, which helps your plants establish a stronger, more durable root system that is better equip to handle drought conditions for the length of it’s life cycle.
Summer Garden Pests to Watch Out For
Though there are many critters out and about in the garden, one of the most common pests we encounter in the summer heat are spider mites.
These tiny critters feed on a wide variety of Utah garden plants, causing damage that appears as gold to brown bronzing on the leaves. This condition is also known as mite burn.
You can spot these mites by:
- Flick a branch onto white paper
- Look closely for moving specks
- If present, try a strong water spray or organic treatments
Additionally, stay vigilant against codling moths on apple and pear trees. These moths dig holes in the fruit and leave out frass, which makes the fruit inedible. Identify them by using the bug finder on the right.
Fungal diseases are also a problem in warm weather, especially powdery mildew. It’s best to keep an eye out for this and other issues. Give established trees a thorough watering once or twice monthly.
You should also look for brown patches, which could indicate pests or diseases. Treat any problems promptly to maintain a lush, green yard.
Summer Flower Bed Care
Your flower beds need care, too. Deadhead roses and annuals to encourage more blooms. You can also deadhead your perennials to keep the garden looking tidy, though the seed heads on spent flowers to help feed birds so leaving them in the garden does help to support them. Stay on top of weeding to prevent seeds from spreading. Water early in the day to avoid wet leaves overnight.
Some extra summer gardening tips — Refresh your hanging baskets and planters by following these steps:
- Trim overgrown plants
- Replace any that are past their prime
- Check water needs twice daily in hot weather
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks to promote more flowers.
Don’t forget to cut back garden mums in early July. August is ideal for dividing and transplanting irises.
Fruit & Tree Care
Remove water sprouts to keep your fruit trees healthy. Use appropriate treatments to protect peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apricots from twig borers.
