Gardening Tips

If you’re new to the Coastal region, like many of our buyers are, you will quickly find that the plants that thrived back home are not meant to last in the dry and hot climate that characterizes summers in North Carolina. We know that starting out can be a bit rough so here are a couple of tips for new comers starting a garden in coastal Carolina. This region is prone to long stints of dry weather broken by large thunder storms that saturate the ground. These storms often dump too much water for the plant to utilize.  Therefore it’s important to prepare plants now for dry weather. You can use a thin layer of mulch or 2-4 inches of pine straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves to help the soil hold water longer. 

As we breach the summer season with the start of May it’s time to plant Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine and zoysia grasses if you’re trying to add some green foliage that is easy to upkeep to your lawn. Established warm-season lawns can be fertilized in early May. Don’t be in a hurry to pull out plants damaged by last winter’s cold even if they appear to be completely damaged. If you give them another month you will likely be surprised at their ability to rejuvenate. Heat loving vegetables such as corn, cucumbers, okra, squash, peppers, snap beans, eggplant and watermelon can all be safely planted. Remember to add a generous layer of mulch around the base of these plants to protect them from drought and blossom end rot. To add spring colors to your summer garden try planting gladiolus, caladiums, cannas, and dahlias bulbs. These flowering plants can survive the heat of summer and give a burst of color to your summer and fall gardens. This is just a taste of what you can plant to start off the summer months. There are many different directions to take your new garden in, and they will all be beautiful or delicious. What are some of your favorite things to plant in May? 

Post some pictures of your garden and be sure to tag us on Instagram and Facebook: @LoganHomesNC