So far, it has been a hot, dry summer! That's puts a lot of stress on
your lawn and plants. Everyone knows when it's hot and dry, plants and
turf need extra water. When temperatures get into the upper 90's for
prolonged periods, the stress on plants and turf is magnified several
times more than you may realize. Treat them as you would yourself in
those conditions. More water, more water, more water! Don't let a summer
shower or two fool you into thinking you can forget about watering for
a while. Keep a close eye on them. Plants are just like people, they
are living things that will show stress rapidly. These are warnings
signs that don't just take care of themselves. All plants and turf have
a wilting point. Once this wilting point is reached, it's too late for
any amount of water to make it recover. Pot plants are especially susceptible
to watering issues during the heat because their roots are above ground
and totally dependent on whatever water we give them. A plant's root
system in a plastic pot on a patio in full summer sun is like being
in a car with the windows rolled up. You better roll them down. Keep
it watered!
Summer time is also hurricane season. Now is the time to take any precautions
as far as hazard trees on your property. Once a hurricane is upon us
(and we're due for one), it's too late to get rid of dead limbs, hazardous
branches and especially rotten cavities in tree trunks which can lead
to disaster. Inspect especially large trees close to your home or your
neighbor's property. If you suspect you have problems and need help
evaluating your trees, call Ed Schultheis at Embark. Remember when it
comes to hurricanes and trees, you can't just board up the windows.
Be proactive. Better safe than sorry!
Enough of the gloomy stuff! Summer is a great time for color. Some of
the best colors in the plant palette are available in the summer for
backyard and patio enjoyment. Lantanas, Vincas, Hibiscus, Verbenas,
Salvias, Bougainvilleas and many other perennials come in lots of colors
to choose from. Go out and have some fun fixing up some color bowls
or hanging baskets. It will make you feel better! Just don't forget
to water them!
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