Bob Krummel, former nursery manager at Maples Farm & Garden Center (now Dogwood Acres Family Farm), shares tips on how to get your summer garden going in the Hudson Valley.
Watering
“Some plants may wilt or droop when it gets hot; that is how they cope with excessive heat or sun,” says Krummel. “Don’t assume a wilted plant always needs water.” The rule of thumb: If the soil is dry to the touch, the plant needs water.
Krummel suggests watering all of your summer flowers and plants in the morning—especially in vegetable gardens—“because the plants have a chance to dry out during the day and you don’t get damp leaves throughout the night, which can cause diseases.”
Fertilizing
Don’t forget to fertilize plants in containers and hanging baskets; a liquid fertilizer like Miracle-Gro is the easiest route.
Pruning
Krummel suggests pruning shrubs and plants before July 15. This gives the plants enough time to create new growth well before the winter.
What to Plant
Flowering Vinca
They take the sun, are drought-tolerant once they’re established, and are deer-tolerant. They come in pink, white, lavender, and red.
Zinnias
Plant the seeds for these flowers at the end of May or June, and they will bloom in your garden in late summer. They enjoy full sun and dry conditions, plus they will give you lots of color.
Marigolds
They come in orange and yellows, and can take the heat.
Celosia
This annual gets brightly colored plumes on them; they are drought-tolerant.
Perennials
Black-Eyed Susans
Goldsturms are perennials and are later-blooming summer flowers for your garden.
Russian Sage
This plant has silvery leaves, lots of tiny blue flowers, and gets pretty big so you should give it space.
Sedums
A type of succulent, they work really well in dry areas or rock gardens.
Related: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drying Your Favorite Herbs Throughout the Year
