We’re about to transition from July to August… which is often the hottest time of the year. Don’t let that intimidate you out of planting now though. Plants may require more water to stay hydrated, but it is by no means a “bad” time to plant our native plants. We also raise our plants a little differently than other nurseries so that they are easier to care for after planting.
- We grow our plants to a more mature state so they are less dependent on the gardener for water and care.
- The soil mix that we use is more dense than box-store garden centers, and retains moisture much more effectively.
- Since the roots of our plants have had time to grow into the dense soil in their pots, they do not need to be spread out or removed from their potting soil when they are planted. This keeps them in contact with the soil and sheltered from the air, which would otherwise dry roots out quickly.
- We raise our plants outdoors year-round, so they are already acclimatized to our summer heat.
| Common Rose Mallow – Example of plant that needs extra water | Royal Catchfly – Example of plant that prefers less water |
While these things will help keep your plants hydrated and healthy, that does not mean that you don’t need to water your new plants at all.
- Water them deeply upon installation.
- Water the soil at the base of the plant, not the foliage.
- Watering deeply but less often is healthier than watering them lightly every day. This encourages downward root growth. 2-3 times per week should be sufficient.
- It’s important to check the soil before watering. If the soil near the plant is dry 1-2 inches beneath the surface, your plants likely need a drink. If the soil is moist, they probably do not need more water.
- It’s also important to “listen” to the plants themselves! If your plant looks wilted and the soil is dry, it probably needs some water.
- Remember that there are always exceptions to the rule. Plants like Royal Catchfly (𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢) are sensitive to overwatering, while others like Common Rose Mallow (𝘏𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘴) prefers moist soil and may require more initial watering. Knowing your plants’ needs goes a long way to keeping them happy.
We hope this helps ease any worries that you may have about installing plants during the summer, and look forward to seeing you at the nursery this weekend!
July 2024 Newsletter
