THE HEAT WAVES HAVE BEEN BRUTAL…It’s HOT. It’s really HOT. And did I mention that it’s HOT!!! Summers in Baltimore are frequently uncomfortable, but this summer feels worse than normal. We had August heat in July, and yet we are still experiencing the August heat in August. And don’t forget the humidity. The nerve of Mother Nature!! We’ve had some impressive storms in July and early August, but they are so severe and short lived that it’s difficult for our land to absorb the water before it runs off down the hill. Quite a few plants are having a tough time. Don’t be too hard on yourselves if you have some plants that just don’t make it. For many of our plants, they may simply go dormant prematurely, and will leaf out just fine next spring. The Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna) will soon come into bloom, defiantly showing off their dusty pink blooms above bare stalks. What a welcome surprise amid the heat.
FUNGUS…This time of year, especially with all of our humidity, it’s quite common to see a fungus appear among our plantings. One common type looks a bit like white foam. It will go through various color transformations until eventually turning black and turning to dust. The fungus is a good sign letting you know that some healthy decomposition is at play. If it bothers you, it can be scraped off. Otherwise, just let it be. It will disappear on its own.
DO YOU HAVE ANNUALS IN CONTAINERS?…These plantings will benefit from an application of Miracle Gro or Jack’s Classic 1x per week, as well as some water on a daily basis. Most only need 1x per day. If you have hanging baskets, they may need water 2x per day. They lose so much moisture due to exposure on all sides.
PLANTING IN AUGUST?…Only plant something new in August if you plan to be around to care for the new plants. For most of us, it’s best to hold off until September.
PLAN FOR YOUR FALL PLANTING NOW…Fall (Sept – Nov) is one of the best times to plant. I recommend placing your orders now before the nurseries sell out of that special plant you want. If ordering from a catalog, make sure to specify NO DELIVERY BEFORE SEPTEMBER. If spring flowering bulbs are on your list, many suppliers are offering discounts if you order now.
TURF GRASS….All of the turf grass experts extol the virtues of planting new grass in the fall. If your area is in full sun without deciduous trees, then they are absolutely correct. If you live in a wooded area, planting in the fall can feel like throwing away good money. Just imagine the tragedy of leaves falling and smothering baby blades of new grass. Maybe mature grass can withstand the insult, but young grass is likely to die. If you are in a wooded area, I recommend defying the experts and planting in the spring. Be sure to hold off on chemicals to kill weeds until after the lawn has had 3 or 4 cuts, and is strong enough to withstand the treatments.
WEEDING AND WATERING… Just do the best you can. It’s tough to be motivated when it’s in the 90’s with high humidity.
The DROUGHT… July had very little rain, and we will probably be in store for more of the same in August. We will need to water our plants, but we should try to be as conservative as possible with our water use. I know most of us have learned to avoid watering in the evening to avoid mold and mildew developing on the foliage. When we experience extreme heat, sometimes an evening watering is actually the best way to go. At least the water will have a chance to soak into the soil without immediate evaporation by the sun. I frequently water between 6p-10p. If you have a timer, you can water at 3 or 4am. Remember, a thorough soaking for 15 – 30 minutes 2 times per week is much better than a brief spritz daily.
ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR SUMMER, AND ENJOY YOUR GARDENS.
