The Ho Hum of July
Okay, the Fourth of July holiday is over. Great time, but now into the true heat of the summer! 90’s and 100’s in New Jersey. No record setting heat, but enough to make me cringe when I think I need to go outside and out of the air conditioning.
So, I think about all the musts I must do to have my garden and flowers survive until we get a break from the heat.
Water every day, preferably in the a.m. Did I check the hose before I put the water on the plants? That water laying in the hose heats up fast in the sun. Must let it run until I can feel the coolness on my fingertips.
Deadhead to keep my flowers looking as good as they can in the 100 degree heat. Petunias are starting to get a little leggy now. I have to pinch them back so they will be absolutely gorgeous and full-blooming next month. Of course, I cheat and only pinch back every other branch every two weeks or so at this time of year so I am never without some blooms.
I also have to keep up my fertilizing regimen of Miracle-Growing every three weeks. Even in the heat, I force myself, but only early in the a.m. and after I make sure that the plants have been well-watered (not necessarily well watered, City water will do fine - but well -watered) before I do.
I swear next month, I will be rewarded for this effort, but right now, I can only seem to think about the oppressive heat. At least I’m in the coolness thinking about it. Imagine my poor plants!
