When temps are over 90 degrees, check flowers twice daily for dryness, in the morning and again in the evening,
Water baskets until dripping from bottom or pots are draining.
Don’t assume that any rainfall will be ‘watering’ your baskets.
Keep watering consistently. Hand watering is best to be sure they are getting enough water. Drip systems are convenient but may not be enough, especially with high temperatures. Supplement drip irrigation with hand irrigation applications when temps are over 90 degrees.
Fertilize every 7-10 days to double your flower power. Using a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus will help to keep flowers ‘awake’ and blooming.
If going on vacation, move baskets and pots to an area with shade and where a sprinkler can water them or hire a vacation waterer or ask a friend to take care of them while you are gone.
Pruning Baskets and Container Gardens
Cut back petunias, callies, verbena, scaevola, sweet potato vine and others to refresh your pots.
Follow the straggly stems half-way up the side of the pot or basket. Then use a sharp pair of shears to trim the stems all around the container like a bowl cut.
Prune off dead foliage or undergrowth that looks bad. Dead head flowers to keep flowers producing. Don’t be afraid to give your basket or pot a haircut. It will flush out again even better!
Fertilize with Jack’s.
Fresh flowers will arrive in a couple of weeks and bloom through the rest of the season.
Geraniums need deadheading constantly. Follow the stem to the base and simply snap off the stem.
If you have lost a plant, consider filling in the hole with a splash of color. Big Summer Color is ready now and perfect for a replacement.
Perennials in the Garden
Dead head any spring/early summer spent flowers. Prune back the flower to the main plant.
Stay consistent with your watering schedule.
Fertilize perennials in the spring and again in the fall. Some perennials, with fertilization may send up another set of blooms.
Don’t be afraid to aggressively cut back iris and dayliles. After the flowers have gone, the foliage may be keeping you from seeing the new flowers for summer. Cut them down to about 6-8 inches from the ground.
Some flowers will continue to bloom for a while but need maintenance. Shasta daisies, Coreopsis, Coneflower, Blanket Flower all need dead heading. Grab a cool glass of lemonade and a pair of scissors and remove the spent flowers at the bottom of each stem. More perennial trimming info here.
Roses need to be dead headed constantly. Prune back to the next ‘5’ leaf stem. Removing spent roses will generate energy back to the plant for more blooming. Fertilize regularly.
