An expert gardener’s guide to summer success!
It’s about this time of year that Atlanta’s lush greenery starts to turn a little less verdant and a lot more brown. The dog days of summer are upon us, along with the corresponding heat indexes and dry spells. To get the scoop on how to keep curbs appealing and gardens green, we turned to Kara Ziegler, a regional manager for Atlanta-based Pike Nurseries. Ziegler has been a member of the Pike team since 2012, and prior to that, she worked as the curator of Desert Collections at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Here, Ziegler shares her tips for keeping plants thriving in the thick of the summer.
What can I do to help my containers and yard survive the summer heat?
Water is everything. The biggest mistake I see is not planning for when temperatures hit the 90s consistently and conditions turn dry. For pots, drip irrigation is a simple fix. Grab a kit, tie it into your water supply, stick the lines into your containers and set a timer. It keeps plants on a consistent schedule even when you’re traveling. If you have to self-water, make sure to do it before 9 a.m., well before the sun starts beating down. Watering at night causes disease problems because moisture sits on leaves in the heat and humidity.
Do I need to redo my soil, fertilizer and mulch to help with all of that watering?
A 2-inch layer of mulch does an enormous amount of work. It reduces evaporation, holds moisture in and protects the root system. The richer your soil, the better your plants will weather heat and drought. A stressed plant is more susceptible to insects and disease.
What can I plant near my doorways to keep mosquitos from following me inside?
Citronella, which is in the geranium family, is the most effective option, even more so than lavender or lemongrass. For standing water, mosquito dunks are non-toxic and work really well. Non-harmful citronella oil sprays and pipettes help, too, but eliminating standing water is still your best move.
What are the best vegetables to plant and harvest during these months?
Okra is the star! It’s in the hibiscus family and is incredibly drought tolerant and fast-growing. Harvest it at 2- to 3-inches every day, and it’ll keep producing. For tomatoes, indeterminate varieties like Super Sweet 100s are very heat-tolerant and keep going all season with proper care. Herbs are wonderful here, too. Rosemary, sage, thyme and basil all thrive. If you want something truly low-maintenance, succulents, agaves, sedums and ice plants are beautiful, modern options.
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