5 Helpful Tips for a Happy Summer Garden

When the summer sun cranks up the heat, our gardens need a little extra TLC.

Gardening in summer isn’t just about planting and watering—it’s about defending against scorching rays, pesky pests and unpredictable moisture levels.

So, what do you need to do to prep for the sizzling season? From clearing flammable debris to keeping your plants cool and knowing what to sow, here are five tips to keep your summer garden happy and thriving!

Spring and summer are bushfire seasons for most of our states, meaning outdoor spaces need to be as fireproof as possible.

Dry leaves, twigs, branches and other flammable materials can act as fuel for floating embers and flickering flames, enabling them to spread more quickly. So get your gardening gloves on, remove all that natural rubbish and pop it in your green bin for collection.

Clearing debris reduces the risk of a fire igniting in your yard or spreading to your home. Check your roofs and gutters, under trees and shrubs, in your garden beds, and on paths and driveways. Also, remove any wood stacked by your shed.

To further reduce your fire risk, trim your trees and bushes and keep your lawn short.

While you’re down clearing the debris from your garden beds, pull out any pesky weeds that are poking out. Always grab them from the root so they don’t return!

While mulch is great for stopping more weeds and keeping your garden soil temperate and moist, it can be a fire risk. Instead, add pebbles or gravel to do the same job. If you must mulch, layer it no deeper than 5cm and keep it moist with frequent watering.

The blazing heat of summer can scorch and stress plants, flowers and vegies, so adding some protection is a must—and it’s super easy to do.

Check out our Plant Protection and range of Jack Tunnels & Covers, which you can simply pop over your beds to create shade and block the UV rays:

• Plant Protection Tunnels – These tunnels Include five arch supports and a transparent fine mesh cover that creates shade while still letting air in. The cover can be easily lifted for easy access to your plants.
• Plant Covers – You have three options to choose from here, each offering different benefits. The best for summer are the All-weather and the Sun & Insect plant covers, which both filter the sun to protect your plants.
• Greenhouse Cover — While these covers are best when it’s cooler, they can also be used in already shaded areas to help plants capture more sun.

As well as filtering the sun, all of our tunnels and covers also help prevent pesky pests like bugs and beetles from getting into your green patches without the need for nasty chemical sprays. If you love the outdoors, eco is always best.

Summer heat can sizzle and parch your garden, so make sure you plan for proper watering techniques to keep your plants healthy and thriving. Here’s how to keep things hydrated without wasting too much H2O:

• Stop dry soil—Mulch or non-organic soil coverings like pebbles can help keep your dirt deliciously moist by stopping evaporation. You can also add hydrogels or water-retaining granules, beads, or crystals to keep moisture in the soil for longer.
• Schedule your sprinkling – By turning on the hose or tipping that watering can at the right times (early morning and early evening), you can ensure you give your plants the most benefits. Avoid watering at midday, as the sun will suck up the H2O before it hits the roots.
• Don’t over or under-water – Instead of watering every day, aim for deep root watering once or twice a week, unless the weather is super hot and dry, then up the frequency. Importantly, pay attention to your plants. Wilting, yellowing leaves can be a sign of over or under-watering. Check the soil to see.

While you may have already planted in spring, there’s no reason summer should stop you from adding even more plants into the mix! Here are some ideas for the warm season:

• Summer flowers – Sow classic heat-loving summer flowers like asters, cosmos, poppies, zinnias, marigolds, petunias, geraniums and sunflowers to add pops of colour to your summer garden.
• Summer plants – If it’s more greenery you’re after, try popping things like ferns, snake plants, elephant ears, native grasses and oil trees in the ground.
• Summer vines – Want to grow some pretty vines in your summer garden? Bougainvillea, passionfruit, wisteria, sweet peas, Mandeville and jasmine are all gorgeous options.
• Summer herbs – Some of the best sun-loving herbs to plant right now are basil, mint, parsley, chives, coriander and thyme—a great mix for summer salads, cocktails and grilled meats and vegies on the BBQ. Try planting them in our Garden Up Herb Rail Planter.
• Summer vegies – Sow and plant things like sweetcorn, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and squash at this time of year. Summer is also the time to pick the first of your spring harvest.

Give your garden a leg up this summer. Stakes and supports help keep plants upright, prevent snapping and boost healthy growth. They also improve airflow and keep fruits and flowers off the ground, preventing sickness and rotting.

We’ve got a great range of plant support products, including Plant Trainers, Vegie Trainers and Garden Stakes, in our Jack range so you can get outdoors and put this tip into action.

Here are a few you might love this summer season:

• Grip & Grow® Flat Frames & Panels – These integrated frame panel systems have ribbed bars that give plants something to hold onto as they grow. They come in two styles: a vegie frame and a wall climbing frame.
• Flower Frames—Decorative and durable, these stake and circle flower frames are easy to pop into your beds or containers. They help your colourful blooms stay in shape and protect them from summer winds.
• Wall Plant Trainer – Honeycomb – With a contemporary hexagon-shaped design, this stylish plant trainer is not only effective in supporting your plants to grow where you want them but also acts as a decorative feature in itself.

Another fantastic way to support summer growth is to plant in pots, containers and raised beds like our 2-tier Raised Garden Bed.

Because the soil is contained, it helps improve drainage, moisture and temp levels. Plus, you can fill it with nutrient-rich soil to start with. You can also move pots and planters in and out of the hot sun as needed.

See also: Go Potty! A Simple Guide to Container Gardening

How often should I water my garden in summer?

Water deeply once or twice a week to encourage healthy root growth. In hot weather, increase the frequency, but avoid midday watering as it evaporates too quickly.

How do I keep a garden shed cool in summer?

Add ventilation, use reflective paint and install shade or blinds to keep the heat out. Our Garden & Privacy Screens are a brilliant budget-friendly option.

How do I get my garden ready for summer?

Clear debris, remove weeds and trim trees and bushes. Add mulch or use gravel to protect your soil surface from the heat while retaining moisture.

How do I keep my garden cool in summer?

Mulch or pebble, use shade cloths, covers and tunnels to protect plants from the scorching sun on hot days, plus water early or late to keep the soil cool.

What can I plant in my summer garden?

Summer is perfect for vibrant flowers like sunflowers and petunias, herbs like basil and mint, and sun-loving vegies like tomatoes and beans.

Can you start a vegetable garden in summer?

Absolutely! You can plant fast-growing veggies like lettuce, cucumber, radishes, zucchinis and herbs to enjoy a quick kitchen garden summer harvest.

How do I keep my garden moist in summer?

Use mulch or gravel to retain moisture and reduce evaporation. Water deeply in the early morning or late evening, and consider adding water-retaining crystals to the soil for longer-lasting hydration.

Now you know what summer garden prep you need to be doing, it’s time to grab your Jack gardening supplies from your nearest local supplier and get outdoors with your sunscreen and gardening hat on!

Protection is so important, especially at this time of year. Plus, make sure you drink plenty of water—it’s not just your plants that need hydrating!

Want some garden ideas to make your summer garden gorgeous as well as happy?

See also:
11 Easy DIY Garden Projects to Dig Into this Weekend
Hack Your Outdoors: Blooming Brilliant Garden Design Ideas

Is your garden summer-ready and looking the goods? Why not take some snaps and share them on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? We might give you a share!