Hey everyone, I'm a newbie gardener and I've had a rough time this summer. A lot of my new plants didn't survive the heat, but the ones I planted earlier in the season thrived. This has made me hesitant to plant more during the warm months. Now I'm wondering, is it a bad idea to start planting in my garden beds right now? I'm interested in adding cottage garden style perennials, clematis, some larger shrubs, and trees, plus some bulbs. Will these plants be able to survive the winter if I plant them now?
2 Answers
Right now isn’t the best time to plant. The dry ground and heat waves are tough on new plants—you’ve probably seen that firsthand. Wait another month or two, and it will be a fantastic time for planting. Autumn and early spring are perfect for new plants since anything winter-hardy will either make it through or simply stay snug underground until spring arrives.
Exactly! We usually get a St. Martin's summer, which means another warm spell in early autumn. It's best to wait until we have a good rain to loosen the soil a bit. That way, when you dig, you won’t have to water as much to help the new plants settle. I totally understand wanting to fill in those empty spots!
I went ahead and planted some things, too. Just make sure to water them regularly. The temperatures aren’t as extreme now, at least here in Scotland. With proper care, they should make it through the winter just fine!
Thanks for the advice! I’ll hold off a bit, but I’m super eager to get started!