Container gardening can be quite a challenge during the hot summer months. Plants dry very quickly in containers because the hot air is able to circulate more freely around the root system of the plant. The watering cycle in use during the  spring will not sustain the same plant with our summers of extreme temperatures. I have found over the years the best time to water is in the morning. This approach has two attributes going for it. First, the plant will retain moister longer as the daytime temperatures heat up. Secondly, by watering in the morning you can truly see whether the plant does indeed need to be watered. Most plants in the sun grown in containers will wilt by the end of a hot day (I know I do). If the plant is still wilted in the morning that is a true measure that the plant needs to be hydrated.

 

 

                        For the fruit lovers out there, if you are growing fruit bearing plants and trees you cannot under estimate the amount of water that will be required during fruit set. To keep things simple remember that fruit is just a modified form of water. What? I know that sounds esoteric. The point is that fruits take an extreme amount of moister to grow properly. That juicy taste we all enjoy is a direct by product of the proper amount of water taken up by the plant.

 

 

                        Last month I mentioned watering and the correct height for mowing your lawn in the summer. I hope that you considered some of those suggestions. Please take a moment and look over last month’s blog.

 

 

Weekend Gardener/ Mike Wilson