As spring softens into summer, your garden enters one of its most rewarding stages. Whether you’re growing vibrant blooms, planting for pollinators, or simply seeking moments of calm in your outdoor space, then now is the time to prepare your garden for the summer season! Here’s 3 simple steps to follow this year:
1. Refresh and Replenish Your Soil
Early summer is an ideal time to top up garden beds with nutrient-rich compost or organic matter. A healthy soil foundation sets the stage for vibrant growth and strong blooms for the season ahead. It can also be helpful to your garden to loosen compacted soil to encourage strong root growth and better water absorption. To top it all off, edge and mulch your garden space for fresh definition and to further retain moisture and suppress weeds.
2. Choose Summer Standouts
Incorporate long-blooming annuals and perennials that thrive in the summer sun. Fan favourites like SuperBlue Lavender, Marshmallow Shasta Daisies, or Coneflowers are reliable performers that maintain vibrance in your garden throughout the season. Mixing perennials and heat-tolerant annuals can also keep your garden consistently blooming while adding variety in height, texture, and colour.
3. The Importance of Mulch and Moisture
Applying a fresh layer of mulch helps retain moisture during hotter days and keeps roots cool. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference, especially as temperatures rise. In addition, plan to water deeply in the early mornings to help further retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and encourage the best growth for your plants. Sun-loving plants also group well together, creating a microclimate of their own and reducing stress on the individual plants.
Now that your garden is ready for the summer, let’s explore another area of the garden to grow this season…
Why Planting For Pollinators Matters
Your garden can make a big difference. Together, let’s help grow something more than just plants.
When we think about what makes a garden beautiful, we often picture vibrant blooms, lush greenery, and peaceful spaces to unwind. But beneath the beauty lies something even more impactful - pollinators. The bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects keep our ecosystems thriving.
Over 75% of flowering plants and more than a third of our global food crops rely on pollinators to grow. Without them, our gardens would be far less colourful and our food supply far less secure. In recent years, pollinator populations have been declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. Bees, wild native bees in particular, are among the most at risk. These losses affect not only our gardens, but the entire ecological web, including birds, wildlife, and our own communities.
The good news is that there are many ways to make a real difference, right in your own backyard! By planting pollinator-friendly plants, you help create food sources and habitat for these essential creatures. Even a small garden, balcony, or container can provide the nourishment they need. The key is to plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom from early spring to late fall to promote long term pollination. Choose native species whenever possible, and aim for a mix of shapes and colours to attract different types of pollinators. Some great suggestions to add to your garden include:
SuperBlue Lavender: A favourite for bees and butterflies, with fragrant purple blooms
Echinacea Coneflower: Provides both nectar and seed heads for birds
Bee Balm: A magnet for hummingbirds and native bees
Tickseed: Long-lasting blooms that support butterflies
There are a couple key things to note when growing a pollinator garden. Firstly, you want to avoid pesticides as many chemical sprays harm pollinators. Choose organic or integrated pest management methods instead; you can read more about natural methods to deter pests here. Second, pollinators aren’t just looking for nectar, but water too! It can be beneficial to leave a shallow dish of water with pebbles to offer a safe drinking spot.
Planting for pollinators creates a healthier, more dynamic garden for you while benefiting species that need it. Together, we can help protect the tiny but mighty workers who make all this beauty possible. To shop more pollinator plants, explore our curated collection here.
Become A Member of Bloom & Bee
If you’re looking for more ways to help support pollinators, then joining our exclusive membership rewards program is just for you! Not only does our new membership uniquely reward customers like never before, but each membership includes an automatic donation to sponsor local beehives. For every 125 members, a new hive of 20,000 to 80,000 bees is sponsored, which helps save this endangered species and increases pollination. Learn more about Bloom & Bee here.
Wishing You a Beautiful Summer Garden
With the right plants, a bit of care, and a little inspiration, summer is the season your garden will truly shine. Thank you for joining us on our mission to grow with purpose.