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Summer Chores in the garden
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Balmy summer is just one of those lazy kick up your heels and relax seasons and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Apart from hanging up a hammock and sipping on long cool glasses of lemonade, it's a lovely time to just contemplate...And whilst I would love to just sit back in a sheltered corner and relax, there are still the odd summer chores that need doing.
Summer garden maintenance chores
Fruit
trees - many people think that once the fruit tree has
finished fruiting and the fruit has been picked that
they can ease off on the watering. What they don't
realize is that feeding and watering now (which promotes
healthy new growth) will in fact increase next year's
bounty! Fertilize your citrus trees at the end
of summer using liquid manure or poultry manure - they
will love you for it. Keep up the mulch levels
to avoid water loss as the days warm up.
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Vegetables
- Get those vegetable beds ready now for your winter-spring
vegetables. Add lime and manure to the soil and
turn in well. Then let it settle for a fortnight
before putting your seeds or seedlings in. Beans, beetroot, brocolli, brussel sprouts, capsicum
and eggplant are great choices. If you are fortunate
enough to have a big plot, then rotating crops can prevent
disease transfer from the old crops to the new.
 Zucchinis - grows whilst you look at them! Click here. |
 Beans - another bountiful crop great for summer soups. Click here. |
 Eggplant. Attractive plant with deep purple eggplants with excellent flavor. Click here. |
Gutters and drains - If you are in an area that is prone to forest fires or bush fires, then summer entails cleaning out the gutters and drains to remove all 'fuel' in case a firestorm comes through. Add these to the compost heap.
 Gutter watering wand. Used to clean gutters with ease. Click here. |
 The gutter brush gutter guard. Prevents downspouts from clogging. Click here |
 Amerimax gutter guard. Stop leaves and twigs from clogging your gutters. Click here. |
Weeds - with the increase in plant growth comes weed growth too. There is one rule of thumb when it comes to weed control - a little at a time goes a long way. It will save you hours of work because it stops them propogating and spreading seeds everywhere in the next season. Small weeding forks are great tools in removing weeds in the lawn but if you have a big weed problem in your lawn, one of these weed killers may come in handy.
 Round up grass and weed killer |
 Organic weed control and killers |
 Algae and moss killer |
Mulching - if you have neglected to mulch in spring, summer mulching is a must if you want to reduce watering requirements and to protect shallow rooted plants like camelias and azaleas. If you have already done mulching in spring, consider topping it up in summer.
Watering - this would be one of your major chores in the summer garden. Deep rooted plants need watering about once a week. Shallow rooted plants would require more frequent waterings - a drip irrigation system is excellent for thirsty plants like hydrangeas.
 Solar Irrigation KitJust fill a container with water (the bigger the better, but not more than 15" deep), drop in the pump, and place the solar panel in full sunlight. The kit includes a 4" square solar panel with a 15-foot cord, a pump, 75' of 1/4" tubing, 20 drippers, barbed connectors, support stakes and mounting clamps. This is a first—a self-contained irrigation system that waters up to 20 plants at a time using the power of the sun. No faucet hook-up or timer needed Waters plants when they need it the most—during the heat of the day Kit can deliver up to 24 gallons of water an hour Can be used with water-soluble fertilizer Solar panel can be adjusted to control flow Full sun required for best performance Easy to assemble Use any container up to 15" deep as the reservoir (not included) Kit includes: Powerful photovoltaic 4-1/2" square solar panel with adjustable easel for propping or hanging, DC pump with output nozzle and 15' cord, 75' of 1/4" diameter tubing, ten 1/2 GPH drippers, ten 1/2 GPH in-line drippers, barbed connectors, support stakes and mounting clamps. |
Rain barrels are a boon for most gardens. I use mine all the time to store rain water which I find a great resource when my plants get thirsty in summer.
 English Rain BarrelIn England, antique "dollies" or wash tubs have found a new purpose: collecting rainwater for the garden. Barrel lid slopes inward to collect water from downspout without complicated hook-ups Lid has built-in screen to filter debris; removes for dipping watering cans; snaps in place for safety Includes 6-foot hose with thumb valve, convenient hose clip, plugs for linking or overflow control This oversize item has a $10 additional shipping charge Please note: This item cannot be shipped via standard shipping outside the contiguous U.S. We've also added features to make it easier to collect and use free rainwater–your plants' favorite thirst-quencher. Our version has the charming design details of the original, including distinctive ribs that add strength as well as character. For other shipping options, please call us at 1-888-833-1412 Made of 25% recycled plastic 25-3/4" H x 25" diameter Holds 40 gallons Gardener's Supply Exclusive. |
 Rain Barrel Linking KitWant to collect 150 gallons? Check out our special offer on Two Rain Barrels plus FREE Linking Kit. That's it! Includes 5 ft of flexible 1/2" hose, 2 rubber washers Can also be used as overflow control for a single barrel Our Deluxe Rain Barrel holds 75 gallons of pure, chemical-free rainwater for your garden. Just drill a hole in each barrel, and attach washers and hose. We've streamlined the design of our Linking Kit to make it easier than ever to connect two of our Deluxe Rain Barrels. Includes 5 ft of flexible 1/2" hose and 2 rubber washers Gardener's Supply Exclusive. |
 Real Oak Rain BarrelComplements traditional home designs better than plastic barrels Includes feeder hose, brass shutoff valve, debris filter, overflow tube Overflow tube can be used to link 2 barrels Flexible Downspout shown is sold separately Allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery Ships by UPS only; please provide a physical delivery address This item is oversized and has an additional $40 shipping charge Faster shipping is not available for this item Sorry, no shipments to AK, HI, PR or VI 24" diameter x 35" H Constructed of durable solid white oak. The 45-gallon barrel is constructed of solid white oak, an extremely durable hardwood, reinforced with the original steel hoops. This recycled whiskey barrel retains a slight and delightful aroma of its past, but it's ready for a new life collecting 100% pure rainwater for your garden. |
Pest control - If you have citrus in your garden, scale pests are now in full force as are the other pests like white cabbage moth caterpillars. Aphids are also out in force to suck the juices out of your succulent new shoots.
Flower pots home>gardening articles>summer chores in the garden
