Tony O’Neill , expert gardener and best - trade author of the famous “ Simplify Vegetable Gardening , ” “ compost Masterclass , ” and “ Your First Vegetable Garden , ” combines lifelong passion and expert knowledge to simplify gardening . His mission ? Helping you cultivate a thriving garden . More on Tony O’Neill

When summer ’s quick lighting started to pass off in my garden , I detect it looked a flake worn out . This seemed like a usual protrusion in the road for many gardener around this time of year .

My mission to breathe new life into my cherished outdoor space led me down a way of uncovering . I learned thatattention to watering , weed , and keeping those pesky pestilence at bay iscrucial during these months .

wan watering green beans with a watering can

In this blog C. W. Post , I ’ll share with you some invaluabletips and tricksI’ve gathered along the way to keep your garden vibrant through former summer and beyond . Let ’s plunk in !

Key Takeaways

tabular array of Contents

Tips for Late Summer Garden Maintenance

– Water your plant deeplyin the early morning or late afternoon to ensure they get enough moisture .

– Regularly check for and slay any Mary Jane that may vie with your plants for water and nutrients .

Watering Wisdom

I ’ve found thatlate summertime garden maintenancemust let in the art of tearing . During these hotter months , my plants thirst more than common . other morning is the gilded time I choose to water my garden .

This leave the soil to take up moisture before the sun amaze too intense . Using a method acting like drip irrigation help me ensure each plant gets what it call for directly at its roots , cutting down on waste .

My experience teach me that over - watering is just as harmful as not watering enough . Checking the ground ’s moisture levelbefore turning on the hose has saved many of my plants from drowning or dry up .

Picture of pruning roses with large secateurs

I stick my finger into the soil ; if it feels wry about two column inch down , it ’s time to irrigate again . By travel along this simple dominion , I keep my previous summer garden flourishing and quick for fall preparation .

Weeding Woes

later summer is a decisive time totackle weedsbefore they go to seed and take over the garden . I spend time each weekpulling weeds by handfrom my garden bed , making sure to get the roots out , too .

By address weeds now , you’llsave yourself from take with more in the future . Weeding can be a piece wordy , but it ’s worth it to keep your garden intelligent and thriving . It ’s also crucial not to look until the last minute of arc , aslate summer is when many plants are produce seeds , which means thatweeds will pullulate quicker than you think .

Next , allow ’s move on to “ Pruning ” .

Picture of hands cupping woodchips

Pruning

Afterthe weeding is done , it ’s time to discuss pruning . Pruning helpsmaintain plant health , controls growth , andencourages skillful flowering or fruiting . When pruning in recent summer , focalize on removing dead or pathological branches and shapingthe industrial plant for a neat show .

It ’s essential touse clean and sharp toolsto make precise cuts without have damage . right pruning at this meter helps prepare plants for winter while further sound regrowth in the spring season .

When it comes to former summer garden maintenance , pruning is key for keeping your plants healthy and looking their good . By using proper technique and timing , you may guarantee that your garden remains vibrant throughout the changing season .

Picture of insect on wheat

Fertilize with Care

Fertilizing in former summer is crucial for the health of your garden . Always trace the operating instructions on the fertilizer package and avoid overdoing it . Aslow - tone ending , balanced fertilizerwith equal parts nitrogen , morning star , and atomic number 19 will provide essential nutrient to abide plant growth without causing inordinate new increase that may not have time to harden off before wintertime .

It ’s advisable to fertilize established plant meagrely , as they involve few nutrient at this time .

recollect not to fecundate dormant or fresh implant perennial because it can stimulate unneeded growth . Instead , focus on slow course cool - season bloom and vegetables for a sizeable close - of - summertime rise .

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Avoidhigh - nitrogen fertilizersas they can boost bid young leaf susceptible to frost legal injury .

It ’s crucial to sympathize thatover - fertilizingcan lead to weak plants vulnerable to disease or plague while also harming the surroundings throughnutrient overflow into water sources .

By using these simple steps for careful fertilization in late summertime , you ’ll help your garden prosper without causing hurt .

Pest Patrol

After fertilizing cautiously , it ’s metre for pest patrol . Late summer is of the essence for maintain pestilence at bay laurel and insure the garden stays healthy . Watch out for commonlate summer pestslike aphids , caterpillars , and wanderer mites .

look at usingnatural remediessuch as neem oil or insecticidal soap to control them effectively without harm beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs . Regularly inspect plant life for signs ofpest infestationand take swift action mechanism when necessary .

recent summertime garden care should also involve maintaining aclean and tidy environment , whichcan help prevent pestis trouble from step up . secure that settle leaves and junk are pronto removed , thin hiding spotlight for unwanted visitor .

Implementinggood sanitation practiceswill deter many pests from taking up residence in your garden .

Putting Your Garden to Rest for the Season

Clean up and mulch bed to develop your garden for the get along season . ascertain irrigation systems and make observation to plan next year ’s garden .

Clean Up

It ’s time to clean up the garden by removing dead plants , leaf , and any debris that could harbor pests or disease . Clearing these out will help keep your garden healthy and flourishing .

I like to cut back any overgrown or yellowing foliage to tidy up the garden bed before fall sets in . This is essential to maintain a neat appearance while also preventing potential problem from developing .

After clean up , it ’s good practice tomulch the bottom with organic material . This helps retain wet , regulate ground temperature , and suppress weed increment during tardy summer . Mulching also improves soil social system and provides all important food as it breaks down over metre .

to boot , checking the irrigation systemensures that works are receiving adequate water during this dry time of year . Keeping everything clean and well - keep now sets the stagecoach for a successful transition into downslope .

Mulch Beds

Mulching is vital for later summertime garden maintenance . Organic materials like barque , stalk , or leavescan helpretain wet in the soilandsuppress weed growth . Mulch alsoinsulates plant rootsfrom temperature extreme point .

I usually spread a2 - 3 inch level of mulcharound plants to keep them protect and tidy as the time of year changes . It ’s crucial to recall that mulch shouldnot be piled up against plant life stem or trunks , as this can lead to rot and disease .

Next up is “ Check Irrigation ” for continued garden charge during late summertime .

Check Irrigation

I retard irrigation regularly to ensure that my garden gets the right amount of water . Proper irrigation is important forplant health , especially in late summer . I audit the system for leaks or clogs and correct thewatering schedulebased on weather conditions .

It ’s life-sustaining to prevent under or over - lachrymation , as it can punctuate industrial plant and make themvulnerable to pests and disease . By maintainingproper irrigation , I help my garden thrive during later summertime and prepare it for the upcoming fall season .

Resist Temptation

balk the temptation toover - fertilize or prune excessivelyin late summertime . Doing so can stress the plants and cut off their raw growth cycle , leading to a weaker garden overall .

It ’s vital not to give in to the itch to useexcessive fertilizer , as it may harm your garden more than help it . Carefully observe any changes that pass and address them with carefulness rather than fall back to overhasty actions .

rather , focus on sustain a balanced environs for your garden by followingproper watering and maintenance routines .

In my experience , yielding to the allure of over - pruning or over - fertilizing can do more harm than undecomposed . So , this season , I resisted these temptations and get a line noticeable advance in my garden ’s health and vitality .

This approach has allowed me to appreciate better thedelicate balance requiredfor optimal late summertime gardening care .

Make Observations

As I take the air through my garden , I observe the wellness of my plants and note any areas that may need melioration . I take note of hand of which plant are thriving and which ones might be sputter .

By observinginsect activity or augury of disease , I can address military issue before they become major problem . Additionally , I notethesunlight and shade patternsto better read themicroclimates within my garden .

These observations help me plan for anynecessary fitting or changesto ensure my former summer garden keep to flourish .

I also pay aid to how dissimilar plant varieties are performing in term of water and nutrient need . By make these observance , I can tailor my care toward each plant’sspecific requirementsand bring home the bacon them with the well possible growing term as we transition into crepuscule .

cook these small but essential observation now will insure ahealthy garden throughout the changing season .

17 Tips to Keep Your Late Summer Garden Flourishing

Keep your late summer garden flourishing with substantive tips . Ensure your garden stay goodly and vivacious with these practical hypnotism .

Collect Seeds

Late summer is the everlasting fourth dimension tocollect seedsfrom your garden plants . It ’s a elementary and cost - effective style to ensure you have plenty of seed for next year ’s planting . Please wait until theseed headsare fully dry before take in them , then salt away them in acool , ironic placeuntil you ’re quick to expend them .

label each type of seeded player will help keep thing machinate .

you could also partake in your redundant source with friend or neighbour who might enjoy maturate the same plants in their gardens . This not only helps distribute the joyfulness of gardening but also promotes community bonding over portion out interests in plant guardianship and cultivation .

Divide Perennials

After garner seeds , it ’s time todivide perennials . To promote healthier growing , divideovercrowded plantslike hostas , daylilies , and irises . Dig up the plant life andseparate the clumpsinto smaller sections with tidy root .

Replant these divisionsinwellprepared soilfor vigorous emergence next season . secure towater them wellandmulch around the basefor protection during winter . This encourages young growing and keep a vibrant garden landscape throughout late summer and into fall .

Deadhead Spent Flowers

To insure my garden keep blooming , I regularlydeadhead spent flowers . Cutting off the faded blooms move the plant to farm more flowers andpromotes good growth . This simple task also   prevents the plant from wasting vigour   on seed output , keeping it focused on healthy development .

Moreover , removing pass flowers helpscontrol disease and pest , as they be given to shield in sure-enough flower heads . It ’s anessential practicefor maintain a vivacious garden while preventing likely problems .

Remember that deadheading should be done withclean and sharp pruning shearsto quash damage the plant or introducing infections . Also , some plants might benefit from deadheading more than others – so love your specific plants will help you determine if this is necessary for each one .

Keeping path of which plant require even deadheading can be helpful in observe a flourish later - summer garden .

Start Cool-Season Crops

It ’s prison term to start up plantingcool - season cropslikelettuce , prickly-seeded spinach , and kale . These craw thrive in the cooler temperatures of late summer and dip . They can be sown flat into the grunge or start out from seed indoors for transplanting later .

By starting these crops now , you ’ll have abountiful harvestwell into the fall time of year . think of towater them regularlyto ensure secure growthanduse mulchto help retain wet in the soil , promoting healthy plant life growth .

Remember , it ’s important to select mixture that are beseem for your specific climate and arise conditions when found nerveless - time of year crops . Conduct inquiry on which crops grow skilful during this clock time in your area before getting begin with planting .

Weed Before They Seed

Late summer is a critical time to stop weeds before they scatter their seeds and take over the garden . rip sens now prevents them from propagate and becoming a bigger trouble after .

It ’s of the essence to get free of them before they disperseand impact your garden next yr . Bypulling weedsnow , you may avoid manage with an uncontrollable weed situation laterin yourlate summertime horticulture tasks .

decently disposing of these weeds stops them from invading other parts of your garden or lawn .

Remember , weeding should be done on a regular basis to keep the garden fly high and prepare it for the fall season ’s changes . So , see to it that weed is part of yourregular late summertime sustainment routineto avoid succeeding headaches associate to out - of - control weed emergence .

Conclusion

After understand this scout , you ’ll be fit out with all-important tips for belated summer garden alimony . Now is the prison term to focus onwatering , weeding , pruning , fertilizing , andpest ascendency .

retrieve toclean up and mulchthe bed while also observing your garden for anynecessary improvements or changes . By following these simple steps , you ’ll keep your garden flourishing and fix for the forthcoming autumn time of year !