Perennial Garden Care in Southwest Ontario

 

The hot and muggy dog days of summer can take their toll not only on us, but on our gardens as well. In general, well-thought out perennial gardens will require the least amount of fussing, but that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them entirely and expect them keep looking their best.

All gardens require care and attention, but there is a lot that you can do to shift the amount of time you are spending working in the garden to relaxing and enjoying it instead. By using mulch and drought-tolerant ground covers, you can drastically cut down on your weeding and watering. How you water is important too. You can water less frequently if you give your established garden a good long soak and the best time to do this is in the early morning.

New plantings will need more attention, you will really have to baby sit your new plants during their first season in your garden, and sometimes longer, which means that daily waterings will be required, especially when it’s hot and dry.

However, plants need more than just water to thrive, they also need nutrients from fertilization. For convenience, you can use a granular fertilizer once a season, but if you haven’t applied this in the spring, you will need to use a water soluble fertilizer every two weeks until mid-August. It’s all right to fertilize in July, but you should cut back on the amount for your plants that have already flowered.

Deadheading is another fairly easy garden chore that shouldn’t be ignored. By taking the time to deadhead the plants that need it, you will encourage a second blooming from your perennials. When picking your plants, you should also choose them for their foliage as well as their blooms. By looking for plants with late blooming times, you will extend your garden into the fall. The Montauk Daisy (nipponanthemum nipponicum) which blooms from October to November, is an excellent choice. It has bright green leaves and a shrub-like appearance that keeps it looking fresh all season.

Consider the following tips for optimal results from a minimal effort:

Water

1. Water deeply in the early morning
2. Save time by using a sprinkler system or a soaker hose

Mulch

1. Use it liberally to help keep weeds to a minimum and your plants hydrated
2. Choose the right type for your situation – from pebbles to pine needles, there are many options, so if you’re not sure, get some expert advice from your garden local garden centre
3. Replenish as required

Ground Cover

1. Ground covers will cut down on your need to weed
2. From wide-spreading to those that release a scent when walked upon, there are many varieties available

Drought-Tolerant Plants

1. Yarrow, allium, lavender, potentilla, flax, most ornamental grasses, sedum, and many more are all drought-tolerant. Choose from a wide selection to create a garden that can survive our summer heat with minimal watering.

Fertilizer

1. Make sure you use the correct blend for your plants
2. A slow release granular requires the least effort, but it should be applied in the spring
3. Don’t fertilize your perennials past mid-August

Natural Pest Control

1. Attract birds and introduce lady bugs to your garden and let them do the work

Review

1. Assess your garden and tag plants for relocation in the fall
2. Visit local garden centres to see what is in bloom now – plan your garden well so that you’re home, and not on holiday, when your favourites are in bloom

 Have Fun & Enjoy!

Sandy King

www.sandyking.ca

Click here for copyright permissions! 
Copyright 2008 Sandy King