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Greetings!
Summer sun and summer fun abound in July. We know that spending long hours in the garden this time of year doesn't sound super appealing to most, so we'll talk about some strategies for getting the job done without having a heat stroke.
Speaking of heat stroke, how do those plants take it?!? While some plants may suffer a bit in this heat, we'll look at a few that LOVE the hot stuff. We'll also talk about watering and keeping even the toughest of plants looking good.
But to start things off.... everybody ready.... hmmh hmmh hmmh.... Happy Birthday to you.... happy, well you get it. Happy 234 to the good 'ol USA.
Everyone have a safe and fun Fourth of July, be careful in the heat, drink plenty of water, and enjoy your summer. Maybe we'll see you at Barton Springs!
Merrideth
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Beat the Heat, Keep the Beauty
 The heat is here and there's no denying it. I finished a run at 9 am on Sunday and it was already 90 degrees! Working hours on end in upper 90's to 100 is hard on most of us, especially those that don't do it every day. Here are a few strategies to help keep the garden looking good and to keep yourself from melting.
First, work early. The sun is up at 6 am these days. I know people like to sleep in on their days off, but consider hitting the yard work early, then taking a siesta later in the day. The real heat of the day is between 3-5pm, so don't even try to work outside then. Take a beak, nap in the hammock, make a quick run to the garden center, anything to give you a chance to cool off. Early morning is best for the following activities: mowing, raking, general cleanup, spraying (fertilizers), and digging.
The late afternoon / early evening is still pretty warm in summer, but it has cooled some. I wouldn't advise too much activity during this time of day, but there are a few things that you can do in the last 30-45 minutes of daylight. That time when you can still see, but you aren't standing under that blazing orb. These activities include: spraying (plant health products), dead-heading, weeding, general cataloging of the garden.
You know the night time is the right time for making...well, for watering. If possible, I really advise watering at night. If that isn't possible EARLY in the morning, but night is best. There are a few advantages to watering when the sun is down. #1- Water will not evaporate nearly as much after sundown. A large percentage of water can be lost when sprinklers, even hose end types, run in the hot sun. #2- Plants will respond to the water better when air and soil is cooler. One of the issues some plants have with our summer temps isn't solely due to the temperature, but soil temps and moisture. Soil temps can reach 130 plus on sunny summer days. Add lots of water to the equation and you can literally cook the roots of some plants. If you water in the evening, the soil will have time to "breath" and dissipate some moisture before the heat of the next day. Also, water on foliage can cause burn spots, so plant leaves will have time to dry. #3- Watering can be boring. I like to put out a spot sprinkler (Dad's 'Ol Reliable brand) and start it running at the beginning of a TV show. When that 15-20 minute commercial break hits, i run out and move the sprinkler to a new spot. Plants are watered well and I don't go loco watching water flow for hours.
Finally, just a few words about heat illness and how to identify them. I have fallen prey to heat a couple of times in my life and it is no fun at all. Even mild heat stroke can leave you feeling like you were on the losing end of a battle with a gorilla. The stages of heat illness are as follows: Stage 1-Heat Cramps. Not everyone will experience cramps, but muscle cramps (usually in legs or abdomen), excessive sweating, and headache or dizziness are signs. Immediately get out of heat, SLOWLY drink water (not too cold), and rest for at least 30-45 minutes. Stage 2- Heat Exhaustion. This is where we are really getting in trouble. Look for pale skin, lack of perspiration, and possibly nausea or vomiting. Pulse may be rapid but weak. Get this person out of the sun immediately. Give water and try to cool their core temperature. This can be done by running cool water or placing a wet rag over the wrists, neck, or behind knees. Anywhere lots of blood run near the skins surface. Slowly drink water and stay out of the heat for the rest of the day. Be cautious the next day if working outside. Stage 3- Heat Stroke. A person in heat stroke needs immediate attention. They may be disoriented or acting unusual. Skin will likely be red, dry, and very warm to the touch. Temperature may be over 104 degrees. They may even pass out (I did!). This person needs immediate medical attention. Begin the processes mentioned above, but get this person to a doctor or hospital quickly. Call an ambulance if necessary. If you have a heat stroke, don't count on doing much for a few days. You will be down and exhausted. I don't recommend it.
So, hopefully i didn't scare you out of the garden for the summer. Just be careful, work when it's cool, take breaks, drink lots of fluids, and enjoy the garden.
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Plants that LOVE July!!!
 July is the time of year when some of your annuals and perennials will start to slow and blooms may fade away. This is generally due to high night time temperatures. High night temps don't allow the plant to rest, therefore it cannot set buds and bloom. While this is a definite problem for some plants, other really start to thrive when the temps rise to new height. We'll look at 5 great plants that LOVE those ridiculous highs we can see in July.
#1- Pride of Barbados- Caesalpinia pulcherrima Normally, I'm not a stickler for botanical names. Since some many people refer to this plant as "Bird of Paradise", i like to include the botanical so you don;t get the wrong thing or waste a drive. This plant, native to Mexico, is a real summer superstar. Blooms abound from mid-June through July and August when the heat is ON!!! Plant in a very sunny location. Low water needs once established and this plant is fine to plant in the heat. A little note to remember, this plant, like others in this article, actually needs heat to perform. While other perennials may emerge from winter dormancy late February / early March, this guy may not come back until April, when soil temperatures are higher. Don't give up too early. It will more than make up for a tardy start by blooming all summer. FYI, the other plants pictured are an Amaranthus (yellow and red leaves) and a Australis Canna Lily (dark burgundy leaves).
#2- Esparanza- Tecoma stans With striking Yellow Bells (another common name), this is a must for the Xeric garden. 'Gold Star' is a variety that blooms earlier and better than others and stays a bit smaller. There are also orange blooming varieties. Again, full sun is fine. A occasional clip, here and there will keep it from getting too tall and not bushy. Drought tolerant once established.
#3- Mexican Firebush- Hamelia patens A personal favorite! Firebush provides a plethora of yellow to red blooms through the summer. A great plant for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Generally, they reach 3'-4' tall and require no pruning to keep them bushy and tight. Talk about tough! Once established, these guys are tough as nails.
#4- Purslane The only annual on our list, purslane take the cake for low care summer color. Didn't get a chance to put in your petunias or zinnias earlier? Purslane is a succulent, so you won't have to worry so much about watering. It is a low growing plant, only reaching 6"-10" tall, but tons of blooms live down there. It is an annual, so each plant will die in winter, BUT they are a good re-seeder and may come back year after year.
#5 Hibiscus These guys are used as an annual by some gardeners, but are technically a tropical. Hibiscus thrive in hot, humid environments. Sound familiar? While each flower only lasts one day, a good size plant can have ten's to a hundred buds on it, a few opening each day. There are lots of colors available, some even multi-colored as in the picture. Can't stand the idea of letting such a beauty die in the winter? Plant them on a container so you can bring them in or "fake" plant them in the ground by burying the grow pot to soil level and pulling it up in late fall.
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Celebrate Independents!!!
When I think of Independence Day, I think of independent companies, the backbone of this country. The entire month of July, try your best to shop independents. Locally owned companies keep a much larger percent of monies received in the local economy. They create jobs and, often, work in and build communities.
Independent Garden Centers are one of the few retailers that haven't fallen to the big Box Stores "search and destroy" methods of competition. Why? Because plants aren't just a commodity. They are living, breathing things that need attention and care. If you've been Box Store shopping recently, you know attention and care are two things you will not find there. Every (well 99.999%) plant sold in the U.S. created a job somewhere along the way. Propigaters, technicians, delivery people, sales people, and all our nursery staff are all people that have jobs thanks to the garden industry.
So, celebrate "Independents" day, not only in July, but all year. One great way is to let your fellow Austinites know who is your favorite garden center, by voting in the Austin Chronicles "Best of Poll" at
http://www.austinchronicle.com/feedback/bestof/10/. |
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Again, Happy Fourth of July to everyone. Be safe, have fun, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
If you'd like to take our survey to give us feedback, click here, we do appreciate it!
Sincerely,  Merrideth Jiles
General Manager
The Great Outdoors Nursery |
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See Red, Save Green
We have a few plants that have been hanging around the nursery a bit too long for our liking.
Look for the red 25%, 40%, or 50% off stickers and save a ton.
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