Protecting New Plants from the Summer Sun by Sue Parilla

 

Photo: Sue Parilla

I had a few clusters of winter sown Aquilegia caerulea or Rocky Mountain columbines that I had not yet planted.  I knew they were crowded in their current container and wanted to get them in the ground. 

 If you must put a plant in the ground during the hottest days of the summer, there are some steps you can take to improve the chance that your new plant will survive this less than ideal time for transplanting. The hot Colorado sun will roast a newly planted flower or shrub. Giving it a little shade for its first couple weeks in the ground will give its roots a chance to settle in to its new digs. 

Watering trees and shrubs by Denver Water

Courtesy: Denver Water

Trees and shrubs need a little extra water to get through prolonged dry periods.

Tree roots are not like carrots. 

- Tree root systems can spread two to four times wider than the height of the tree. Most of the tree's absorbing roots are in the top 12 inches of soil.

Water deeply and slowly.

- Apply water so it moistens the soil in the critical root zone to a depth of 12 inches. Water with a deep root fork, soaker hose, five-gallon bucket or soft spray wand. Apply water to many locations under the drip line. If you use a deep root fork or needle, insert the device no deeper than eight inches into the soil.