Top 10 Summer Gardening Tips
Here’s some advice from Mitch, APG’s Operations Manager at Lonsdale. With over 20 years’ experience in garden maintenance, he knows a thing or two about gardening!
The team at APG normally work on large-scale commercial garden maintenance projects, but Mitch has taken the time out to give us some top tips for your garden at home this summer holidays.
1. Watering Efficiency in Hot Conditions
- Tip: In South Australia’s hot, dry climate, deep watering is essential to encourage deep root systems. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to minimize evaporation, especially in the mid-summer heat.
- Expert Insight: Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water loss due to evaporation. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day to ensure your plants absorb moisture effectively.
2. Mulching to Conserve Moisture
- Tip: Apply 5–7 cm of organic mulch (such as wood chips, straw, or lucerne) around your plants to help retain moisture and keep soil temperatures stable during the scorching summer months.
- Expert Insight: Be cautious with mulch around trees and shrubs, as too thick a layer can suffocate roots. Mulch also helps prevent weed growth, which competes with your plants for water.
3. Pruning for Optimal Growth
- Tip: Prune spring-flowering shrubs like camellias and azaleas just after they finish blooming to shape them and remove dead or damaged growth.
- Expert Insight: In South Australia, extreme summer heat can stress plants, so avoid heavy pruning during peak heat. Instead, focus on removing dead or damaged wood and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal infections.
4. Pest and Disease Management
- Tip: Regularly inspect your garden for pests like aphids, caterpillars, and mealybugs, particularly in the warmer months. Use eco-friendly treatments like insecticidal soap or neem oil, as these are less harmful to beneficial insects.
- Expert Insight: South Australia’s dry summer weather can encourage pest infestations. Consider using netting or row covers to protect vulnerable crops like tomatoes and leafy greens. Natural predators such as ladybugs can also help control aphids.
5. Fertilisation for Healthy Growth
- Tip: Apply slow-release, balanced fertilizer to plants every 4–6 weeks throughout the summer. For high-demand vegetables like tomatoes and zucchinis, a tomato-specific fertiliser with higher potassium and phosphorus is beneficial.
- Expert Insight: Over-fertilising can lead to excessive leaf growth and poor fruit production, especially in South Australia’s hot conditions. Monitor your plants closely and adjust fertilization as needed, depending on the plant’s growth stage.
6. Deadheading and Flower Care
- Tip: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms, particularly for plants like roses, geraniums, and petunias.
- Expert Insight: In South Australia, where the sun is intense, deadheading not only extends the flowering period but also reduces the likelihood of fungal diseases that thrive in stagnant, decaying plant material.
7. Heat Stress Management
- Tip: Use shade cloth or shade structures to protect heat-sensitive plants like lettuce, spinach, and young seedlings from extreme afternoon sun.
- Expert Insight: South Australia experiences long periods of high temperatures, so consider planting heat-tolerant varieties like sweet potatoes, eggplant, and melons that thrive in the summer heat. Always check that your plants are well-watered before a heatwave.
8. Weed Control in Dry Conditions
- Tip: Keep weeds under control with regular hand weeding or use mulch to suppress growth. For larger areas, consider using a selective herbicide where appropriate.
- Expert Insight: Weeds can quickly outcompete your plants for water in South Australia’s arid climate, so addressing them early in the season is key. Mulching not only conserves moisture but also reduces the need for frequent weeding.
9. Companion Planting for Climate Resilience
- Tip: Use companion planting strategies to reduce pest pressures and improve plant growth. For example, planting basil with tomatoes can deter pests, and marigolds can attract beneficial insects.
- Expert Insight: South Australia’s climate is perfect for experimenting with Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, oregano, and thyme, which can be paired with vegetables to promote growth and flavor. Planting nitrogen-fixing legumes like beans can also improve soil health.
10. Planning for Autumn and Winter Crops
- Tip: In late summer, start sowing seeds for cool-season crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. These crops thrive in the milder autumn temperatures.
- Expert Insight: As South Australia’s summer heat starts to ease, transitioning to winter crops can extend the growing season. Consider using shade cloth or row covers to protect young seedlings from the lingering summer heat and ensure early autumn harvests.
APG proudly services the Adelaide metropolitan area. Their key capabilities include gardening, horticulture, revegetation, and maintenance. Specialising in regular and ongoing upkeep of grounds, APG are committed to tending to reserves and streetscapes with the utmost care on both multi-year and ongoing contracts.
APG is capable of big things and has handled some of South Australia’s largest projects whilst offering employment to people with disability. To date, we’ve partnered with industry leaders like Lanser, Fairland, Renewal SA and Onkaparinga Council.
To learn more about APG, click here.
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