Depending on what zone you live in, summer can be an amazing gardening experience for you and your plants. The sun is out, the weather is looking better, and it’s time for your plants to thrive. 

As long as it’s not scorching hot, summer is the perfect time for your plants, lawn, and trees to flourish and look their best. All you need to do is provide them with the proper care and nutrients.

If you aren’t sure where to start with summer gardening, don’t worry. We’re here to help you find the best summer crop for your garden, so you can grow vegetables that are sure to thrive all summer long and provide you with go-to gardening tips to help you maintain your garden.

Teraganix Summer Garden Tips

Since the temperatures are higher, you're inevitably using more water. Unfortunately, this can get costly, especially if you have a large garden. For some, your monthly bill can skyrocket to above $100 if you aren't mindful. You'll want to always be considerate of how you can conserve water and look for tips to help you get the most out of your garden.

You'll need to maintain your garden and perform regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. 

Here's how you can get started:

Don’t Over-Water

It can be tempting to over-water your plants during the warmer seasons. However, always remember that plants only need about one to two inches of water every week. (That’s not as much as you think!) The weather does factor in if you’re ever unsure you can always check the soil to see if it needs more. You’ll want to keep the soil lightly moist during the summer. 

Prepare Your Soil

You'll want to have your soil prepared and ready for your plants. This way roots can develop quickly, spread, and start growing. You can choose to add compost or organic material to your garden during the summertime, such as eggshells, leftover vegetables, fruits, or mulch.

Use EM Bokashi

Did you know our EM Bokashi can help you reduce the amount of water your plants need during the summer months? With EM Bokashi, it works to slowly release important nutrients to your plants, keeping them healthy and thriving through even the warmest of months. Adding this to your soil with our EM-1 Microbial Inoculant is one of the best ways to help you save water throughout the warmer months. It will also leave you with more robust plants that grow stronger, faster, and with a higher yield. 

Keep the soil moist 

Keeping the soil moist will protect your plans from the heat and give them the much-needed moisture they need. You can do this through irritation, or you can lean on our Dynamic Garden Duo. The EM-1 Microbial Inoculant speeds up the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling, which helps break up compacted soil and improve water absorption.  

Combat the Weeds

One thing that you might see a lot more of during the summer season is weeds. A weed takeover in your garden can leave your garden not looking its best and can be harmful to your plants. If you have too many weeds, they can hog all of the nutrients in your soil and the water you use. The best way to get rid of them is with prevention. We always recommend starting to mulch early on in the summer.

Keep an Eye on Your Mulch

Mulch is needed in the garden to help retain moisture and keep certain plants cool. Keep an eye on your mulch and make sure it doesn't crust over during the summer. The crust can be counterproductive and won't allow water to get to the roots. All you need to do is break up the crust with a rake. 

Clean up Dead Foliage 

Some flowers will have foliage that starts to die off during summer. You may start to notice yellowing leaves as well. You'll want to remove these as soon as possible to stop the infection from spreading and keep your plants looking their best.

Start Pruning

Some plants and flowers need extra love during the warmer months. Pruning your plants can allow for more growth and provide better results over time. (plus, it’s a great way to clean up your garden and ensure all of your fruits, vegetables, and flowers are flourishing!)

Water your Plants in the Morning

During the morning, it's usually cooler outside. This means the water has time to soak and get to the roots before the sun comes out and evaporates the water.

Keep Your Hose in the Shade

It can be easy to grab your hose and start watering without thinking about the temperature of the water. However, if your hose has been sitting out in the sun all day, it could cause the water to come out hotter than expected. Some plants are sensitive to hot water, so you'll want to be mindful.

Understanding Gardening Zones

There are a total of 13 zones. What makes each zone distinct is the climate. They all have at least a 5-10 degree difference. It’s important to know your gardening zone so that you can choose plants for your garden that have the best survival rate. 
For example, plants you would plant in zone 13 probably won’t have the same survival rate as the plants that you’d grow in zone 1. Being strategic about your summer gardening will allow you to grow the best crops throughout the season and provide you with an abundance of produce for you to enjoy.

Best Plants to Plant By Zone

Zone 1-2

Unfortunately, there’s not a ton that you can start planting during summer in these zones. Mostly because there is such a short time between frost dates. Three go-to crops for Zone 1 are Asparagus, Lettuce, Cabbage, and Rhubarb. 

Zone 3-4

By the end of May, you should be able to plant almost anything outdoors. This includes tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. 
Need a hardy flower that needs little to no maintenance? You’ll want to plant some marigolds this summer! These are great for zones 2-11 and require little to no ongoing maintenance. All they need is tons of sunshine!

Zone 5-6

Several plants can be planted from May to June in Zone 5-6. These include pumpkin, watermelon, pepper, leeks, cucumber, and eggplant. During June, you can start to sow sunflowers, marigolds, basil, and other summertime flowers to add some color to your garden.
July is also a great time to start seeding radish, carrots, beets, and turnips indoors to get a headstart on your fall garden.

Zone 7-8

Depending on when the frost is, you can choose to start some plants indoors and then move them outdoors. This provides more flexibility for planting plants and vegetables during the warmer seasons. You can easily plant broccoli and carrots in late summer if you go with this method. If you have any cold-hardy crops you want to plant: you can plant them in late August.

Zone 9-10

Cold hardy vegetables do great in late August and early fall for these zones. If you’re looking for something to plant during summer, you can plant beans, eggplant, peas, and watermelon in July or June. During August: you can grow cucumbers, peas, peppers, or pumpkins. 

Zone 11-13

These zones have tons of year-round potential. Melons, sweet potatoes, and garlic can easily be planted in July and thrive. If you’re looking for flowers to add to your flower beds during summer, you can have tons of luck with exotic choices like Passionflower or Kangaroo Paw. 

Growing your garden in the summer is a fun and rewarding experience. You'll be able to start planning for fall gardens, adding summer fruits, and adding some beautiful color to your yard with marigolds. 

Once you find the right plants to plant for summer, you’ll want to use our water-saving tips and summer tips to help you reach your goals, save money, and grow a thriving garden. As you prepare for the warmer months ahead, always lean on TeraGanix if your garden needs some extra love. Our products are designed with you in mind. They can help you create healthy living soil, grow beautiful plants, and even conserve water.