When geraniums are blooming, it seems the summer heat will never end. Even though the calendar divides the seasons fairly evenly, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo. We see frost in April and the 90’s by May. When the heat arrives it seems like it wipes out the pretty spring blooms in no time flat. This is the time to rid your space of spring annuals and plant for summer. 

Caring for your Geraniums

If you are looking for a heat-tolerant plant, try geraniums. They offer rich green foliage and beautiful clusters of blooms in bright colors, so It seems remiss to ignore their beauty. They can be grown inside and be moved outside when the temps warm up and the threat of frost is gone. When growing geraniums in a pot, ensure the pot has adequate drainage. If you are planting them into the ground, be mindful of the soil. If you have clay soil it is best to dig your hole three times the size of the root ball and add planting mix. A geranium loves soft rich soil and has trouble growing in dense soil like clay.

Water

   When watering geraniums, it is always best to let the soil dry and then water thoroughly. Always water from the base if you can to prolong the life of the bloom. As the old blooms fade, deadhead the plant so that its energy can be focused on new blooms. This will prevent the fading blooms from robbing the plant of vital nutrients. During the summer months, it is best to fertilize every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer. During the winter months, you do not need to fertilize at all.

Some fun facts about geraniums:

Geranium leaves are toxic to Japanese beetles, so that’s one less pest to worry about.

For minor cuts, scrapes, or burns, you can use some crushed geranium leaves and apply them to the affected area. This will help with pain relief and inflammation. 

If the leaves are turning yellow, that is a sign of a water issue. Either too much or too little.

So if you have a fear of geraniums, don’t! They are as easy to take care of as any annual. and more resistant to pests. Most of all, they handle this relentless summer heat, like a champ.

Find out more about summer annuals HERE