By Tamara Galbraith

Summer's in full swing, and your previously glorious flowers are starting to look a little ragged around the edges.

Many plants will benefit - and even rebloom - after a mid-summer session of "deadheading," that is, removing spent flowers and/or stems to promote new growth.

Here's a quick guide of deadheading techniques for different types of flowers:

Pinch off individual dead flowers on: balloonflower, bellflower, daylily, delphinium, foxglove, hibiscus, hollyhock. (Also included: some irises that will rebloom in the fall, depending on the variety.)

Do an overall snip of dead blooms (about 2" below the flower) on: blanketflower, columbines, globe thistle, goldenrod, geranium, Jacob's ladder, salvia, coreopsis/tickseed.

Cut the entire spent flower stem off to either a sideshoot or to the plant's base on: baby's breath, bleeding heart, cardinal flower, catmint, coral bells, foamflower, gaura, Jupiter's beard, lavender, lupine, mullein, painted daisy, pincushion flower, coneflower, Shasta daisy, speedwell, spiderwort, Stoke's aster.

(Listening to The Grateful Dead while deadheading is, of course, optional.)

When the weather is hot and dry and there is no measurable rain, even rookie gardeners are aware that most plants will not survive without regular watering. Unfortunately, one reaction to this problem is to stand with hose in hand and squirt water on the plants or on the surface of the ground around them. This does nothing but dig up the soil. Wise gardeners give their plants the amount of water each one needs in ways that save time, effort and water.

It is important to use the right equipment. Much water can be saved in the summer by watering each part of the garden by a method appropriately suited for it. Briefly, hand sprinkling is fine for sprouting seeds, but all other watering should be done with conventional irrigation systems or drip systems. In general, conventional irrigation systems work best for most of the basic landscape, including lawns. Drip systems work best for plants in containers and vegetable gardens. Reserve watering by hose for filling furrows and basins around trees and shrubs, when these are not equipped with bubblers. (When you water this way, put the hose right down on the ground, and let the water sink in slowly.)

For the month of August it is better to water every other day depending on rain, heat and type of soil. Lawns (with the exception of Bermuda and zoysia) and vegetables, certain annual flowers, and some perennial shade flowers are the thirstiest plants in the garden. Water these as frequently as necessary to prevent wilting. Some plants, such as fuchsias and impatiens, need watering daily when grown in containers.

Remember to keep your eye out for signs of stress and think of each plant as an individual; water accordingly. With deep, infrequent waterings teach them to send their roots far into the ground so that when there's a drought they will survive.

Plants in containers often suffer at this time of the year, they need to be watered frequently.

• 32 fl. oz.
• Easy to apply
• Easy to use
• Water based
• Will not stain
• Spray around shrubbery & other places where mosquitos congregate

By Tamara Galbraith

Fall is the best time to divide most overgrown perennials...but that doesn't mean you can't get a headstart on the process a little earlier. As a general rule, dividing is done opposite a plant's blooming season,  i.e., spring bloom = fall division, etc. Most perennials should be divided every three to five years.

Walk around your landscape during summer's bloom boom and observe what plants will be in need of dividing when autumn does finally roll around. Arm yourself with a pad and pencil, and make notes. Additionally, jot down ideas about other plants that may not be in the best location for optimum performance. Are your hostas getting too much sun? Are your Louisiana irises staying too dry?

A few of your plants might actually be ready for multiple divisions. For example, I can tell just by looking at the crown of my Heuchera 'Lime Rickey' that there are actually three plants existing in the same space. Where am I planning on putting the others once divided? Maybe your plant divisions would make nice gifts for friends or family...write that down too. Most gardeners go weak in the knees at the thought of free plants!

Watch for more information here about dividing plants as Fall grows nearer.

Hobbies: Watch comedy and action movies

Favorite food: Steak and potatoes

Favorite plant: Black-eyed Susan

Garden product: Miracle-Gro Quick Start

Rodney's message to you: "Stay cool and have a nice day!"