Hot Weather Planting Instructions



When planting after the weather has warmed into summer, you need to take extra
care. Newly planted root systems are not capable of supplying as much moisture to
the rest of the plant as established roots. Protecting plants from hot sun and drying
winds until they have become established increases their chances of doing well.
Plants will do best if the weather is overcast or plant in the early evening or morning.

WATER IMMEDIATELY AND THOROUGHLY AFTER PLANTING. The sooner plants are
planted, the better they will do for you. If you cannot plant immediately, put your
plants in a shady well protected location until you are ready. Water unplanted potted
material at least twice a day.

DO NOT FERTILIZE NEWLY PLANTED PLANTS FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. Do not fertilize
until you see new growth start to emerge. This can stress the plants in hot weather.
Also remember that most new plants already have a slow release fertilizer in the pots,
so they likely won’t need fertilized until the following spring after they are planted.
WATER new plants in the morning to increase the humidity and help the plants.
Sprinkling in mid-day can burn the leaves if water gets on them, so water at the base.
Late evening watering can also help.

Sometimes leaves of plants will droop in summer heat and sun. This can occur even
when the plant is well watered. If the soil is already adequately moist, adding more
water will not help. Occasionally a stressed plant will drop all of its leaves and grow a
new set in a couple of weeks.

Throughout the spring and summer, it is most important to water plants deeply and
less frequently. It is better to water longer a couple days a week than it is to water for a
short period every day. An inch or two of mulch on the root zone — not touching the
trunk or canes — will help keep the growing zone cool and moist. Keep the ground
around the plant free of weeds that will rob the soil of water and nutrients. Leaving a
weed barrier exposed with no mulch covering it is a death sentence for plant
material.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems: If you use drip or use spray to water, check the amount
each plant is receiving and check nozzles regularly for proper operation. The ground
should remain moist but not too saturated. If you have clay soil the tendency is to
overwater. Check the soil often to maintain the proper conditions.

Lastly, do not over-amend your soil. Mixing in a small amount of compost is
beneficial, but adding too much organic matter can cause water drainage issues and
can cause additional heat to build up around the roots. The most important factors
when digging your hole are to break up the surrounding soil, and plant at the proper
depth.