Gardener Joe: Thoughts for the summertime garden
August 16, 2012 · 1:48 PM
In late summer, while our lawns are dormant and the growing season is waning, it is time to sit down and take some garden notes to prepare for next spring.
Be observant and ask yourself if there are there any changes you would like to make to the yard next year? Did you want to maybe add a nice structure to the back yard? Are there some large plants that require lots of pruning and you need to move them? Those basic questions are the ones I like to ask people when helping them plan their gardens.
How much sun or shade does your garden get? How is the soil quality? Does it stay wet, or does it dry out? Those questions get you into choices such as shade loving plants for shady areas, sun-loving plants for sunny areas, and drought resistant varieties for dry conditions.
Warning, do not move any plants at this time. I like to move stuff in the spring. Plants are in active growth in spring; energy is stored in the roots.
As I mentioned in my last blog, summer is a good time for pruning. I notice people cutting plants into all sorts of interesting shapes. Please do not top your plants.
Enjoy the sun. Fall and winter will be here before you know it.
Happy gardening,
Gardener Joe
Joe Machcinski is owner of Pangea Garden-scapes. He can be reached at (360) 990-3035 or besthands@aol.com.
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