Cool Tips for Hot Plants: Expert Advice for Gardening in the Lowcountry Summer Heat
Local gardening advice for surviving the Lowcountry summer.
Story by Sheila Paz and Suzanne Barton
The heat is on — and your garden knows it. With summer nearing full scorch, even the hardiest plants can start to wilt under the pressure. To help your greenery beat the summer heat, we turned to Suzanne Barton, manager of The Green Thumb, for expert advice. From drooping leaves to thirsty soil, she answered the most common summertime gardening questions we’re hearing right now.
[LOCAL Life] My planters are looking tired. What can I do to get through the heat? [Suzanne Barton] Start by replacing your cool-weather plants with heat-tolerant plants such as vincas, pentas, rosemary and russian sage. If you can provide it, place plants in shade during the afternoon. Don’t forget to water plants adequately.
[LL] What can I do to prepare for the tired stage? [SB] You must deadhead! Remove all of the spent flowers from the head of plants to help encourage continued blooming. Start fertilizing before the weather gets too hot, and check for insects and diseases. The healthier and stronger your plant is before the summer heat, the better it will do when stressed.
[LL] Hot summer months mean the pesky mosquitoes are back. Can I do anything about that in my garden? [SB] Yes! Some plants will naturally deter mosquitoes from your garden, such as citronella, lemongrass, lemon balm, citrosa, lemon verbena, marigolds, basil and eucalyptus – just to name a few. Anything with strong citrus fragrances will deter mosquitoes, and you can take the leaves of these plants to rub on your skin to keep them mozzies from biting!
Rooting for summer
Smart seasonal tips from Lowcountry Gardening, the trusted guide by the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association:
“Summer time is the time for maintenance and water. Irrigate when there is less than an inch of rainfall per week. Irrigate deeply so roots won’t gravitate to the top of the soil. Water early in the morning so foliage can dry out by evening.
Plants often droop from mid-day heat. If this occurs during the morning or evening, water is needed.
June is a difficult time for planting. Treat new plants very gently. Soak the plant in water for an hour before planting; fill the planting hole with water, letting it subside before planting; mix plenty of compost into the backfill soil. If the plant is in direct sun, protect it with a large cardboard box for a few days. Water daily for at least two weeks, then every other day until you see new growth. Plants want moist, but not water-logged soil.”
Grow like a local
Gardening in the Lowcountry isn’t for wimps. Between the blazing sun, swampy humidity and soil that sometimes feels more like beach sand than garden bed, it takes grit and a little guidance to make things grow. That’s where the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association comes in. Each month we’ll share advice straight from Lowcountry Gardening, the ultimate local guide penned by seasoned master gardeners who’ve battled every bug, blight and heatwave this region can muster. Grab a copy for $5 at The Greenery, Bruno Landscape & Nursery, The Green Thumb or the Lowcountry Master Gardener booth at the Bluffton and Port Royal farmers markets. For more info, head to LowcountryMGA.org.
