TIPS FOR YOUR SUMMER GARDEN
When adding color to your garden, don't forget about foliage plants. Purple heart, sweet potato vine, ornamental grasses, elephant's ears, ferns, coleus, and caladiums add bold colors and wonderful textures to the garden. And don't limit yourself--try colorful, tropical plants that thrive in the heat.
Avoid using too many hot colors such as red or orange. Instead, mix in cooling whites and blues. Don't use too many different hues or your garden will look chaotic and busy.
When your plants do need a drink, water them well. Try to soak the first couple of inches of soil, watering as little as possible and letting your soil dry a bit between waterings. Twice a week waterings are usually sufficient. Don't water daily, and remember frequent overhead waterings can cause plants to become infected with fungus or other disease.
When possible, use drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses to minimize runoff. Make sure plants have a thick mat of mulch around them to help retain moisture, keep out weeds, and dress up beds. Every few years add some organic matter, such as finely-shredded pine bark, sphagnum peat moss, mushroom compost, or leaf mold to beds. Use a tiller or turning fork to mix the organic material thoroughly, loosening the soil and making it easy to dig and plant.
