The display of a beautiful Texas summer is all around. Stepping into the sunshine is a perfect reminder of the season and everything it brings. Now’s the time to stay on top of your summer garden care. Explore these helpful tips and make the most of this vibrant time of year!
TIP 1: WATERING
When it comes to summer, we know how important it is to hydrate our plants. The key is to water efficiently. The early morning is the best time of day to water because the soil will have time to absorb the moisture before the temperatures rise and the water evaporates.
To help your plants thrive in the summer sun, take a moment to check on them in the morning. If they seem a bit dry, give them a deep watering at the base—this encourages strong, deep root growth away from the hot surface. Watering in the morning also gives the leaves time to dry, keeping your garden fresh and flourishing all day long.
TIP 2: PULL WEEDS AND PICK FRUIT
Nobody wants weeds sprouting up, especially not your plants. Weeds can quickly become overbearing in your landscape if not maintained. Growing weeds can get thirsty, which creates competition with your plants for moisture. When you are watering your landscape, look over your garden for signs of weeds. By setting aside a little more time to scan for weeds quietly growing, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the fruits of your labor in your outdoor space.
Take a moment to check your fruit and vegetable plants and harvest any ripe produce. Picking fruits as they ripen encourages fresh new growth and keeps your garden tidy by preventing fallen fruit. Ripe fruits also need lots of moisture, so harvesting them helps your plants use water more efficiently. Enjoy the rewards of your garden and keep it growing strong!
TIP 3: USE MULCH
Think of mulch as the protective shield of your landscape. Mulching your flowerbeds and around your plants creates a natural and nourishing barrier between the soil and the summer sun. Protecting the soil from direct sunlight keeps the soil cool and moist thus giving your plant’s roots the proper environment to grow and develop. Mulch reduces water use by preventing evaporation and allowing the plants to absorb water at a steady rate. It also regulates soil temperature protecting delicate root systems and reduces weed growth. Not to mention, mulch will complete the look of any landscape and cedar mulch can even help deter mosquitoes! Pick up Calloway’s Premium Mulches at your neighborhood location today!
TIP 4: ADD COLOR
Celebrate the season with bold, vibrant color in your garden beds or containers! Choose sun-loving plants and be mindful of their light needs. Refresh any fading early spring plants with fresh, colorful blooms that will shine all summer long.
CORA® VINCA
Cora® XDR Vinca is a great choice for bringing vibrant blooms to your flowerbeds, hanging baskets, and containers. Its dense leaves are rich and green topped with colorful blooms that thrive in our Texas sun! They attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators and love the summer sun.
PENTAS
Add fireworks of star-shaped flowers to your landscape with Pentas. These beautiful clusters are good choices for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard while dazzling your containers with pops of color. Pentas love the sun and will make any planting space look full and beautiful.
SWEET POTATO VINES
Sweet Potato Vines have attractive heart-shaped leaves that remain lime green in color throughout the season. This relatively low maintenance plant works as a fantastic groundcover. Sweet Potato Vines are the perfect sun-loving addition to any flowerbed, container, and hanging baskets.
YUCCA
Ideal for Texas, Yucca has attractive succulent grassy leaves that are olive green in color with showy spikes of flowers. This plant loves the sun! In fact, they should only be grown in full sunlight. Yucca is a tall and ornamental plant that will fill your landscape with beauty.
CONEFLOWER
Coneflower are tried-and-true Texas perennials and pollinator magnets. It is a sun-tolerant and low maintenance thus making it an ideal choice for a low-water garden. The masses of daisy-like flowers add groups of colorful hues around your landscape and will continue to shine throughout the season.
CROTONS
Crotons are a fantastic choice for your summer garden thanks to their bold, tropical foliage and vibrant mix of colors—ranging from deep green to fiery red, orange, and yellow. These beautiful plants thrive in warm weather and add instant visual interest to garden beds, containers, and borders. With their striking leaves and low maintenance needs, Crotons bring a splash of long-lasting color that keeps your landscape looking lively all season and through fall.
TIP 5: FERTILIZE YOUR PLANTS
Give your garden a boost by fertilizing with Calloway’s Premium Foods! Specially formulated to support strong root development and vibrant blooms, this nutrient-rich blend helps your plants thrive throughout the summer. Regular feeding keeps your garden healthy, colorful, and full of life—so you can enjoy lush, beautiful results all season long. For newly planted flowers or shrubs, simply mix the plant food into the soil around roots during planting, then water thoroughly.
Visit Us!
Not sure where to start? Visit us at one of our 28 locations and ask one of our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals—they’re here to help!
Need a hand with planting? Let us help! Explore our Garden Services for expert assistance in bringing your garden vision to life—whether you’re refreshing containers, adding new blooms, or reimagining your landscape.
Make the most of the season and enjoy creating a vibrant, colorful summer garden you’ll love all summer long!
FAQs
What’s the best way to water my summer landscape?
Water in the early morning so the soil can absorb moisture before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Focus on deep watering at the base rather than spraying the foliage to promote stronger roots.
How do I control weeds and harvest fruit during summer?
Pull weeds regularly, especially when watering, since they compete with your plants for moisture. Harvest ripe fruit promptly to encourage fresh growth and prevent plants from wasting water on ripening produce.
Why is mulching important and which mulch should I use?
Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Using cedar mulch can also deter mosquitoes. A quality mulch keeps your landscape healthier and reduces maintenance.
What plants provide vibrant color all through summer?
Heat-tolerant plants like Cora XDR Vinca, Pentas, Sweet Potato Vines, Yucca, Coneflowers, and Crotons offer long-lasting summer color and attract pollinators to your garden.
Should I fertilize my summer garden—and with what?
Yes, fertilizing helps maintain vibrant, healthy plants. Use a premium plant food designed to promote strong roots and blooming. Apply when planting and continue feeding as needed through the season.
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