It was a busy spring at work. There was a wedding, a prom, or a graduation party every weekend this spring. It was too cool and rainy this spring. There were home repairs that were a top priority in recent months.

It happens every year. The holidays pass, and in the blink of an eye, spring has come and gone, and you find yourself pushing a lawnmower in 92-degree heat in late June. And you didn’t plant those trees or shrubs. Again.

Is It Possible To Plant A Tree Or Shrubs In Midwest During The Summer?

Summer in the St. Louis area is in full swing. The grilling, baseball, and, yes, the heat and humidity have settled in, likely until mid-September. But if you had planned to plant trees, a line of shrubs or to upgrade your home’s landscaping this spring and somehow didn’t get the work started, let alone finished, know that it’s not too late.

You can still plant trees, bushes, and even perennials in June or July. Even in St. Louis, during its sweltering dog days of summer.

Successful Summer Planting Requires Extra Care

The first step is to plan. Check long-range weather forecasts and plan to plant at the start of stable weather with little threat of extreme heat, heavy and/or frequent rain, or heavy winds. Avoid planting in drought conditions.

When you plant, consider planting in the early evening. Also, fill the hole you’ve dug with water and let it soak into the soil. Then plan to water your new shrubs and/or trees deeply and if possible, daily.

Remember, successful planting during extremely hot summer weather is largely dependent on keeping your new trees, shrubs and/or plants properly hydrated (just as you would yourself when working outside during summer heat). With that in mind, put two to three inches of organic mulch on top of the fresh soil surrounding the plant. This mulch will help keep the soil moist and may keep weeds from popping up.

How Long Should The Special Summer Care Continue?

You can reduce the watering schedule to alternating days or twice weekly after a few weeks. It’s best to check the moisture level of the soil daily by digging a finger into the loose soil. If it feels dry, it’s a watering day. If the soil is moist or if rain is forecast, skip the watering for the day; overwatering can be as hard on a new plant as is underwatering.

Finally, if you leave home for a vacation, use an automatic hydration system or have a neighbor water your new trees, bushes, and plants. You don’t want to leave town for a week or two and return to dead or severely compromised trees, bushes, or plants.

What Happens After Summer?

When fall arrives, it’s usually safe to allow natural rainfall to water your new plants and trees. But keep in mind, if fall is especially dry, deep watering may be a good idea. By mid- to late fall, most trees and bushes will enter a dormancy state. You’ll find that by spring, they will be able to handle the extreme weather which would have endangered them during their first summer.

Finally …

If you need assistance in deciding what, when, where, and how to plant new trees, bushes, or shrubs, remember that Hansen’s Tree Service can provide you with the services of our certified professional arborists who will assist with your planning. Contact us today!