Summer doesn't plan on stopping just because of COVID-19 and it's finally here. Now is the time to get your summer gardening plan in order. This past spring was likely a good season for your garden and some smart planning will help make summer an even better one. With decades of gardening experience under our collective belts at Yard Butler, we've got a few choice tips ready for you to maximize your summer gardening prowess.
Soil Preparation for the Summer
Use the right soil. When it comes to topsoil, you want something that lets the roots develop at their fastest natural pace, as well as soil that's loose enough to encourage rapid spread. You can help the process along by tilling (or buying pre-tilled soil) to optimize water and nutrient distribution. Our Twist Tiller is the perfect tool for the job. Use this tip from our Yard Butler gardeners: add organic material such as eggs, vegetable/fruit skins, or coffee grounds (fish guts work too for you dads out there) and mulch to encourage nutrient distribution throughout the soil.
Summertime Weed Management
Since the warmest season of the year is prime-time for spontaneous weed-growth, you have to prepare your garden a few weeks beforehand by laying down some mulch. Mulch is a natural barrier to weed growth, since it keeps any of their seeds from sprouting, as well as blocking the essential sunlight they need.
A more expensive method is to procure some weed mats to stifle their growth. Weeds require moisture and sunlight to grow, so as long as you can place down a two or three-inch layer, your garden should be fine.
The Perfect Time for a Vegetable Garden
Recently we’ve seen a big demand for growing your own food at home. If you are a veggie-lover, then summertime is best for corn, zucchini, celery stalks, peppers, beans and squash. There are others, of course - most vegetables thrive in the summertime due to the increased hours of essential sunlight and warmth. In some parts of the country tomatoes grow year-round but especially during summer. Be sure to plant companion plants to help your crops thrive. Who knows? If your summer garden is robust enough, you might even be able to start your own commune or at least a neighborhood sharing program.
For more gardening tips and in-depth information, keep an eye on our blog.
