Be Inspired Blog - Arizona

Gardening Tips for Monsoon Season
Posted on: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Who Says Plants Can't Thrive During an Arizona Summer?
Monsoon Season
Monsoon season in Arizona begins June 15 and ends September 30.
Common occurances during a monsoon include: high winds, dust and severe downpours resulting in flash floods. Occasionally, a severe storm includes microbursts which can cause winds of more than 100 mph and significant damage.
Source: http://phoenix.about.com/od/weather/a/monsoontrivia.htm
Protect Your Plants
Pruning
Pruning is a great way to protect your plants from damage caused by high winds. Pruning is beneficial to plants for numerous reasons—one being that thinned out plants are often healthier and stronger and allow winds to travel through them instead of winds running into them and causing plants to break or become uprooted.
To learn proper pruning techniques, watch our How-to Prune video or speak with a Trusted Garden Advisor at a SummerWinds Nursery near you!
Stake Your Trees
Make sure any newly planted or small trees are properly staked so they are protected during storms. We recommend staking your trees with two stakes so that the tree is still able to move with the wind. To learn how to properly stake your tree, watch our How-to Plant Trees & Shrubs video or speak with one of our Trusted Garden Advisors at your favorite SummerWinds store.
It's the Perfect Time to Plant Heat-Loving Plants
The heat, humidity and rain that come along with Monsoons can make it easier to establish warm-weather, heat-loving plants such as:
Adeniums
- Agaves
- Aloes
- Basil
- Bouganvillea
- Cacti & Sun-Tolerant Succulents
- Hibiscus
- Lantana
- Native Shrubs and more
Successfully Establish Heat-Loving Plants
Planting & Watering
- Take advantage of a recent rain shower to make digging easier in preparation for planting
- Add recommended soils and amendments to help plants become established
- To help plants get established, water them every morning—regardless of expected rain in the weather forecast
- If you've recently had a heavy rain and the ground is very wet around the plants, you can skip watering that day
- Plants that have green canopies can block rainfall and may not recieve adequate water from recent rain
Source: http://tucson.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/garden/monsoon-season-is-time-to-plant-heat-loving-species/article_1b7c1d72-056f-51c6-8f91-31d125c0430b.html
Visit your local SummerWinds Nursery, to see our full selection of heat-loving plants. Check out our New Plant Watering Guide for expert watering recommendations to ensure your plants grow healthy, strong roots!
Give Your Heat-Loving Plants What they Need to Succeed
Recommended Soils & Amendments
SummerWinds Planting Mix
This all-purpose natural and Organic transplanting mix is ideal for all types of flowers, vegetables and ornamentals, including annuals, perennials, ground covers, shrubs, fruit and shade trees. Now registered cdfa! Perfect for transplanting heat-loving plants!
E.B. Stone Organics Cactus & Succulent Potting or Planting
E.B. Stone Organics Cactus & Succulent Potting or Planting is an ideal potting mix for all types of indoor and outdoor cactus and succulents.
Speak with a Trusted Garden Advisor at your local SummerWinds Nursery, to learn more.