Hints & Tips

Mountain Pine Nursery's own Bill Korwan has tips for watering during the dog days of summer.

Now that we are well into the dog days of summer, your perennial gardens will again need some attention. clean up the dead flowers (dead heading) on all plants that you do not want to reseed. Give the Corepsis verticillata variety a "hair cut" and remove old ratty looking foliage.
With the low precipitation in the Northeast watering may need to be done to keep the garden lush. When you water, water heavily, making the water go deep into the soil. This will keep the plants deep rooted and more drought tolerant. Do not water often, but let the area dry well before watering again. Let the plants tell you when they need water. If your plant is wilting in the late afternoon check it again in the morning. If the plant is still wilted in the morning, it is then time to water.
Proper care of pruning, dead heading and water will produce a beautiful fall show of colors in your garden.