How To Repair Summer Damage To Plants

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:49 pm

Summer is slowly coming to an end, not without difficulty for our gardens and vegetable gardens that have suffered enormously from the vagaries of the weather (drought and heat wave, storms, violent winds…). Very often, with the vacations, the gardener also takes a little to neglect the maintenance of green spaces.

As a result, between the burnt lawn, the flowers that are out of breath and the fruits and vegetables that have gone into depression because of the “beautiful season”, we almost forget that we still have a few long weeks of harvest before winter (which we must also prepare carefully). To end the season in beauty and welcome the next ones with vitality, here are some tips to repair the damage caused by summer in a garden and vegetable garden.

1) Take care to weed the garden

How To Repair Summer Damage To Plants


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If your plants have suffered from the sun and the drought, this has not impressed the weeds! Weeds have indeed taken advantage of the fact that your plants have been in a bad situation to invite themselves and take all the space. Whether on the lawn, in the flower beds or in the vegetable garden, they are everywhere… In addition to the natural weed killer, you will need a lot of elbow grease to pull them out and clear the way! This should help limit the damage caused by these invasive plants!

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2) Pamper your lawn


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Sometimes watering well can save a burnt-out lawn that’s a little yellowed from the heat. Nevertheless, sometimes you will have to sow when that is not enough. In this case, opt for special seeds for express reseeding to fill in the holes in the most bare spots. This will speed up germination and quickly hide the damage left in the garden by the summer heat. For the rest, consider mowing the lawn to 4 or 5 centimeters high. This will give the garden a cleaner look and remove some of the weeds.

3) Clean up your plantings


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Thin out your plants to spruce up the garden and give it a bit of a boost! Lighten up on anything that’s dry or damaged, so your plants can develop new shoots and continue to grow. The garden will be healthier for the autumn season once all the little damages of the summer have been removed. In addition, the gardener will have a clearer picture to prepare for the cold season! To do this, you will need to:
-Cut off damaged leaves and faded flowers from your annuals and perennials as well as from your flowering shrubs (roses, hydrangeas…) or vegetable garden plants (tomato plants, strawberry plants, raspberry plants…).
-Prune perennials that went to seed during the summer horizontally.
-Prune damaged stems and broken branches during thunderstorms or hail storms.
-Remove damaged, unsalvageable or rotten fruits and vegetables and compost them. If necessary, pull out plants by the root and loosen the soil to prepare it for your future crops!

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4) Take the opportunity to plant seasonal vegetables


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In September, temperatures remain mild enough to plant well-chosen vegetables and fruits. For example, this is a good time to plant onions, leeks, spinach, lamb’s lettuce, radishes and winter lettuce! In addition, many fruits and vegetables can be transplanted in late summer. This includes strawberry plants, curly endive or even escarole.

5) Aerate the garden soil weakened by summer damage


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Weather conditions can cause serious damage and completely change the nature of the soil. That’s why many gardening fans like to mulch the soil with a suitable mulch. It helps to protect it! Without it, between a sunny day and heavy rain, the soil can indeed settle as well as crack. It is then very important to intervene to aerate the soil! The aeration of the soil will make the soil more porous. As a result, air, water and nutrients can better reach the roots of your plants. To make it less compact, simply start by splitting the soil with your garden tool. Then, to complete your efforts, take the time to hoe at the foot of your vegetables, shrubs and fruit trees.

6) Don’t neglect watering and soil amendment

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To boost your plants, nothing beats a good organic fertilizer or compost applied in a good layer at the foot of the plants. Don’t forget to water! As long as the temperatures are still mild enough, it’s best to water at the end of the day so that the plants and the lawn can soak up water during the night. Watering during the day would tend to dry out too quickly and the vegetation would not be able to benefit from it…

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Certain species of insect pests and larvae continue to attack your garden (mites, beetles, aphids, caterpillars, etc.)? Against these pests, there are biological control methods (traps, natural insecticides, natural predators such as ladybugs, etc.). Think of going to a garden center or searching on our site to find effective natural solutions.

Author

  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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