Summer is here!

Well it's been a while since I posted last. My computer is on the fritz, and I stay pretty busy so, that's all I am going to say on it.

As you might have noticed, the temps are really climbing and your plants might be showing the stress from it.
Most established lawns, trees, and shrubs will survive a hot summer just fine with little or no irrigation, provided there is not drought. This year we have seen a return to relatively normal rainfall, so the plants we want to concentrate on are our veggies and flowers.

First and foremost, all plants need mulch, in nature, mulch is in the form of leaves, pine needles, limbs, twigs, dead grass, and animal waste. Mulching around your trees and shrubs with wood chips, pine straw, or even the leaves you rake off your lawn, aid in retaining moisture in the ground. What ever material you chose to use, it should never be "green." Never use freshly chipped wood as it will rob nitrogen from the soil as it dries and first begins to decompose, wood chips should be in a state of active decay when used as mulch. Flowers and veggies are best mulched with pine needles, hay, or straw. Be sure to have plenty or organic compost mixed in the soil before mulching these delecate plants.

When comes to your water source, be conservation minded. Make water from the municipal system (or even a well) a last resort. Utilize rain barrels, A/C condensation, or dehumidifiers, and there will be plenty of H2O for your garden.