Ozark Garden Talk – Episode 7: Summer Gardening Questions Answered
- White River Nursery
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Released: July 16, 2025
Hosts: Sarah McCue, Charity Cox, Alex Royce
Episode Length: ~60 minutes
🌱 Episode Summary
In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, hosts Sarah McCue (Owner), Charity Cox (Event Coordinator & Plant Buyer), and Alex Royce (General Manager) answer the most common summer gardening questions. From watering tips and heat-loving plants to pesky squash bugs and weed control, they share their own experiences and practical advice. They also point listeners to the Washington County Extension Service for expert help.
📝 In This Episode
👋 Welcome & Introductions (0:00 – 0:30)
Meet Sarah, Charity & Alex as they kick off this Q&A episode.
They explain that questions came from customers, phone calls, and social media.
❓ Top Summer Questions (0:30 – 2:00)
How often should I water? When can I plant? What’s okay to plant now?
🌟 Charity’s advice: If you can dig a hole and water it properly, you can plant!
💧 Watering Tips & Best Practices (1:00 – 6:30)
Check the soil below the surface before watering.
Don’t confuse wilting from overwatering with wilting from drought!
🕔 Best time to water: early morning (5–8 AM) to avoid disease & scorch.
Use mulch to retain moisture & cool roots.
Monitor irrigation systems — no “one size fits all.”
🌸 What to Plant Now (2:30 – 9:00)
🌞 Heat-loving stars: native perennials, warm-season grasses & crepe myrtles.
🚫 Avoid planting spring ephemerals like Brunnera and Dicentra — they go dormant.
🐛 Dealing with Summer Pests (15:30 – 22:30)
Charity shares farmer tactics: plant early & late to stay ahead of pests, use row covers, hand-pick bugs & eggs.
🌼 Encourage beneficial insects (like tachinid flies) by planting goldenrod, yarrow, dill, parsley & carrots.
Use trap boards & grow squash upright in cages to improve airflow & visibility.
🪲 Japanese Beetle Traps (23:00 – 25:30)
Yes, they attract more beetles — but placed upwind & away from your plants, they work!
Traps lure with pheromones & reduce egg-laying.
🌾 Weed & Bermuda Grass Control (26:00 – 37:30)
🌞 Solarization: cover soil with clear or black plastic to “cook” weeds.
📦 Cardboard & mulch suppress weeds while building soil.
✋ Dense planting & hand-weeding are crucial.
🧴 Use herbicides carefully & sparingly — great tips on stump treatment & floral-tube methods.
The 🧪 Washington County Extension Service offers guidance for stubborn invasives.
🍂 Preparing for Fall Planting (38:00 – 43:30)
Improve your soil with compost & mulch now.
Cover bare soil to prevent weeds.
🌱 Start fall veggie seeds soon (broccoli, kale, cabbage).
Caution with fresh wood chips — let them age to avoid nitrogen tie-up.
🍎 When & How to Plant Fruit Trees (43:30 – 46:30)
Best time: fall & early winter (post-dormancy).
🎯 Roots establish before summer heat hits.
The group celebrates this year’s bumper crops of apples, peaches & hardy kiwi!
🌼 Heat-Tolerant Late Summer Bloomers (48:00 – 58:00)
Discussed favorites: ironweed, goldenrod, rattlesnake master, echinacea, rudbeckia & coreopsis.
🌟 Alex mentions lantana, vinca, zinnias & native grasses.
✂️ “The chop” — cut tall natives back in early summer to keep them compact & bushier.
Visit Fayetteville’s Public Gardens for inspiration on incorporating larger natives!
Vernonia fasciculata- Ironweed
🔬 Using the Washington County Extension Service (58:00 – end)
Bring diseased or damaged plants to the Extension office for diagnosis.
🧪 They offer quick, professional & free analysis.
🌟 Key Takeaways
🌞 Water Smart: Early morning is best. Observe soil & plants, avoid overwatering.
🌻 Plant for Heat: Natives, warm-season grasses & crepe myrtles shine now.
🐞 Battle Pests: Use row covers, hand-pick bugs, and attract beneficial insects.
🌾 Control Weeds: Solarize, mulch & plant densely. Use herbicides sparingly & precisely.
🍂 Plan Ahead: Start preparing beds & planting fall veggies now.
🔍 Get Help: Washington County Extension Service is an invaluable resource.
📣 Call to Action
🌱 Visit White River Nursery: Find heat-tolerant plants, expert advice & inspiration.
📲 Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe, share & leave a review!
✨ Thanks for listening — happy gardening! 🌼Have more questions? Drop us a message anytime!
Comentarios