It's Been A Tough Year to Garden (Dont' Give Up) | The Southerner's Northern Garden

[@PeggyMills]

Hard to believe how far the garden has come, Matthew. Next year should be amazing. Thank you for sharing and for always encouraging us.

[@jacquiecastro7993]

Matthew, I really appreciate your candor. You are not one to hide the reality of gardening in the real world! My poor roses were devastated by Japanese beetles this summer and are only now coming back. I hope to enjoy them for a few weeks until my southern Vermont garden has to go to sleep. Always appreciate you. Thank you for giving us of your time.

[@Grateful_Grannie]

A.M. Leonard has these great, 20 gallon, tree watering rings. Great for nursery or drought. They have 5-gallon ones I’m going to use on tomatoes. They have some cool stuff.

[@tinaroller1741]

Matthew, it continues to amaze me that you take care of your huge garden by yourself!! 💚

[@SouthernersGarden]

“Take care of” is somewhat of a stretch this year. 😂 But, thank you. 😊

[@taraprescott9320]

I’m sorry that you are experiencing the drought. We are too in WV. I wanted to say that it’s nice to see your garden at a different time of the day as the sun casts its light! I hope to order some roses! Perhaps soon the rains will come to replenish the earth! Thank you, Matthew, for sharing your garden and ideas!

[@frasersgirl4383]

It’s so hard to choose what to say, the garden is looking beautiful despite the drought! I love the native bee sculpture piece you’re going to order! The roses on the trellis next to the house are looking amazing, all the roses are looking amazing! The whole garden is looking beautiful! It’s a testament to all the incredible amount of hard work you’ve put into it since you arrived here!

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Matthew! Despite the drought, your gardens are looking so pretty. I'm looking forward to seeing the new plants you have coming, and where you plant them. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@paulacothren3591]

I am so glad you are a brand ambassador for Heirloom Roses. After getting burned by smaller suppliers that I was trying to support during the pandemic (either receiving diseased plants, or simply receiving something entirely different than what I ordered) I decided around 2021 that I will order only from Heirloom Roses. As a company, they have a business that relies very little on inputs from other sources, and they can control the quality of their stock.

[@SouthernersGarden]

You’re absolutely right! I was very impressed with the quality control and disease prevention mechanisms when I visited.

[@Grateful_Grannie]

A.M. Leonard has these great, 20 gallon, tree watering rings that soak in slowly, over 6-8 hours. Used by orchardists. Just a thought.

[@marky3131]

Good on you for helping native bees!

[@rhondaschenk5727]

It’s looking great, Matthew despite the drought! We are in drought too in southern Indiana. You’re right, a tough tough year for gardening. But let’s do it again next year!

[@Lealelan]

Matthew, your garden is beautiful in spite of the challenges. It's been a tough year for so many. I've never had the gopher probs I've had this year. I put all my roses in baskets but not usually other things. The gophers got nearly 1/2 my dahlias. I'm so sad. I saw one come up and literally pull it underground! grhhh! I just re-ordered for next year and everything from now on will have to go into baskets. The deer in my front yard have eaten things they've never eaten before. I planted a redbud and they've eaten the leaves down to nubs (will probably have to move it to behind fencing). Hard lessons - but next year is another chance to beat the critters and learn valuable lessons! Hope you get some rain soon!!!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Matthew. Your garden is coming along VERY nicely . I can’t wait to see what you’re planting next ! 🌺💚🙃

[@judymckerrow6720]

My NEW garden is ugly, I hate it but I’m hoping that next year and the following years when it all fills in it will look much better. 🌺💚🙃

[@frasersgirl4383]

Ahhhh, so sorry you’re feeling this way! It’s such hard work to start a new garden! I’ll bet it’s going to be very different next spring! ❤️💫❤️

[@judymckerrow6720]

I think Distant Drums is my overall favorite rose. It’s just gorgeous! 🌺💚🙃

[@GMarieWrites]

Matthew - for that side where you want ground cover, I second sedum as a choice, and also hens and chicks. You can do interesting things with multiple varieties and they will thrive with intense heat and very little water.

[@kathytaylor9798]

If you need to start using a deer repellent, Plantskydd is great. You only have to apply it to new growth as the old growth is still protected from the last time you sprayed. Milorganite can be spread around the perimeter of here property. Please make sure you learn exactly what this is made out of.

[@SouthernersGarden]

Thank you for the repellant recommendation! I used to use Milorganite before it became really popular and the price skyrocketed. The pricing arounds us seems unreasonable for the benefits these days, so I stopped using it.

[@daiseegray9110]

Taking a break from my gardening to watch this video. It is dry and hot here in Michigan. The glimpse of your pool looks so refreshing! 🌼🐝

[@SouthernersGarden]

It’s too cold to enjoy since our nights are cooling down now.

[@jillbruce3624]

Good luck with your drought issues. I always love when you show your roses. Thanks for sharing.

[@judymckerrow6720]

We have a TON of bees in the garden. I think that they appreciate the water in my “ ponds “ almost more than the flowers. They’re always by my “ ponds “. 🌺💚🙃

[@denisedooley6904]

I really appreciate the details on how drought, heat, disease and pests are impacting your gardens. I’m in Southeast Michigan and we are experiencing similar conditions. I just received the Eden rose and some iris tubers I ordered with your Heirloom Roses discount code. The packaging was impressive, everything arrived in perfect condition. Looking forward to planting the rose this week.

[@SouthernersGarden]

How did you get yours before I got mine?! Haha

[@user-rosesroses]

Great video as always.

[@J_3_P_O]

Beautiful garden! That really full sun patch might look good as a Mediterranean plant garden? Lots of very drought and heat tolerant plants. Many unique of types of Euphorbia, Beghoniaceae, Salvia etc that have evolved to survive in that part of the world. As well as of course rosemary and lavenders and all kinds of herbs.

[@amyproctor9895]

Your garden is really coming along. I can't believe how much you've done. I know what you mean about the drought. I live in southeast Ohio, Washington county, just outside of Marietta and we haven't seen rain for weeks and weeks. Maybe a stray shower that lasts a few minutes and then it's gone. We need it so bad. I hand water everything. No drip here. I love your hydrangeas. They are my favorite. Add more each year.

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Beautiful rose, Thanks for inspiring us.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Just my opinion but I THINK the winter sun will keep the brick on your home a little warmer so maybe the rose bushes will be evergreen for you ? 🌺💚🙃

[@Grateful6494]

Thank you for the inspiration. We are in a drought as well. I'm embracing it and enjoying the flowers that are still flourishing.

[@evag1679]

❤❤❤

[@camicri4263]

Blessings!

[@judyjohnson4117]

Hi Matthew! Okay you’re killing me with the teases about what’s coming in to plant. Lol Have you thought about maybe adding some caramel Huecheras to your river? That would add another pop of color. I want them in all colors. They take more sun than some. I’ve not had much luck with any of the bright greenish ones. Any recommendations on a yellow bushy rose bush? I need a yellow one and I like luckless ones not single. Can’t wait to see what’s coming this week!

[@SouthernersGarden]

I looked at Carmel, but I didn’t think that it offered enough of a different shade from the other 2 red to orange varieties I planted to warrant including in the mix.

[@judymckerrow6720]

My Coco Loko started off VERY slow, I was rather disappointed in it, it’s doing much better now and hopefully next year even better. 🌺💚🙃

[@hanthouse]

been a horrible year. have lost many established plants. heat, drought, etc. i'm going to plant lots of whatever lives through this.

[@anncoats4466]

To get blue macrophylla hydrangeas blooms I use Starbucks coffee grounds on top of soil, works so easily and smells so good.

[@SouthernersGarden]

I’ve used coffee grounds before too and need to go back to that route.

[@dawndawn6946]

Thanks for sharing, Matthew. It is very disheartening to see plants die after surviving drought and then too much rain. So many things have given up. I don't know if I should yank and replant or see if they recover and come back in the spring.

[@helenmennenga8912]

We are in drought for the second year and many trees are showing fall color way too early for our West Central Illinois area.

[@TruthSeekerHuman-je5pd]

I have a Rise-Up lavender climbing rose and it is a growing monster of hardiness and blooms a lot after the first season. I recommend it, but you need a tall sturdy trellis to support it.

[@SouthernersGarden]

I had it at my last garden. It is a good variety.

[@sherrysloger4215]

I believe the weather has been so much harder on gardens here in southern Illinois. Also, I have found that the water soluble Hi Yield Aluminum Sulphate works so much better than the granular additive for my hydrangeas. After using both, I will continue with the water soluble. All in all, your gardens look great! Thanks for all your info!

[@SouthernersGarden]

I’ve not tried the Hi Yield brand of aluminum sulfate, but I have tried a water soluble version that’s supposed to be specifically blended for hydrangeas and given much more than the recommended dose over the past couple of months to no effects. I’ll have to check out what you’re using.

[@sherrysloger4215]

@@SouthernersGarden I did have to apply the Hi Yield more than once. Our soil here just seemed more receptive to the water soluble. In fact, the newer hydrangeas we planted last year (used the granular) have the pink blooms. Truthfully, the granular was easier to apply but didn’t get the results I wanted.

[@jessicacook8186]

Wow! Your mahogany splendor look totally different than mine. Mine are tall, around 5 ft, but narrow. Not nearly as wide or large in general. I don't have anything on drip and don't fertilize them. Do you? They are gorgeous! I'm hoping we get some rain soon.

[@SouthernersGarden]

They’re on drip with the rest of the cut flower garden, but I never fertilized them. 😬 I’ve grown it before and it got large, but never this big.

[@ljscott5728]

Matthew. Thank you for this video. I too live in Ohio and it's rough keeping everything watered. I'm looking forward for fall. Definitely need a reset. My grass looks like hay.😢

[@SouthernersGarden]

Everything needs a break and reset right now. 😩

[@judymckerrow6720]

My hardy banana really took off after I fertilized it . Are you going to heavily mulch your banana tree for winter ? I didn’t last winter and it had a very slow start, I’m THINKING about trying to heavily mulch it this year to see if I can get better come back results . 🌺💚🙃

[@SouthernersGarden]

No, this is a Cincinnati bred banana that doesn’t need those extra protections. 😁

[@carolyncourts6510]

Matthew, I would love to know more about those beneficial insect packs. Do you have any recommended websites? I would like to educate myself more on topic, for next year. I do have bee boxes, but they will need replacing next year as they are looking well used and I hope last the winter. TIA!

[@SouthernersGarden]

Heirloom Roses has several articles on their website about their program including this one here: heirloomroses.com/blogs/news/beneficial-insects The program was new this year, but it looks like it will be available again next year.

[@judymckerrow6720]

I think that it got just too hot for the alyssum. My alyssum always looks better in the spring and fall when it’s cooler out. 🌺💚🙃 This year it’s just dead. 🌺💚🙃

[@SouthernersGarden]

Probably! The high 90s we had when I was in Michigan really did it in.

[@Michellemybelle1996]

Same here in west Michigan- my alyssum looks terrible this year with the heat/drought.

[@judymckerrow6720]

@@Michellemybelle1996 I live in SW Michigan so we’ve probably had about the same weather. 🌺💚🙃

[@yougethehorns]

Lot's of great info in this video! Thank you. Hope you enjoyed Michigan! I live hear Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. It's been hot and dry here lately too. So your encouragement made me feel better. I'm not a beginner but not nearly as experienced and knowledgeable as you. I love your videos. Sometimes you'll say things that I wish you'd expound upon since I am such a beginner. Like when you said that you can't water the large trees enough with out rain. Is that because the ground around it just slurps up all the water or? We have a beech tree that is struggling. Keep up the good work:)

[@SouthernersGarden]

There’s just so much plant material to support for a large tree it’s not easily feasible to give it as much water as it would need.

[@TruthSeekerHuman-je5pd]

Yes, the drought in OH, WV, KY has taken toll on garden, lawns, plants, trees. I cut many flowers back early due to drought. My water bill has doubled and sewer bill--because sewer charges us even though the water goes to plants--no separate billing system on resident homes. I do not remember a drought as bad as this one in 2024.

[@SouthernersGarden]

You could potentially have a separate deduct meter installed depending on your outdoor usage that wouldn’t count sewer. It may not be worth the install price though. I had one at the last home.

[@heathersgardenpeace]

My Plum Perfect does not bloom nearly as heavily, this is it's 2nd year. I think maybe it's not getting enough water. Your's is gorgeous!

[@SouthernersGarden]

Interesting! Right now mine is on drip so it’s getting about 1.5 gallons a day. Half in morning. Half in evening.

[@heathersgardenpeace]

​@@SouthernersGardenOh my! I don't give mine nearly that, looks like I need to up the water on several of my roses probably. I'm just south of you down in central Kentucky.

[@casandrasobczak4446]

Do the beneficial insects go after Sawfly Larvae? That my worst problem on my roses here in Michigan zone 6A. Thank you!

[@SouthernersGarden]

That is not specifically listed as a target on Heirloom Roses webpage, but I also had a pretty bad issue with sawfly in Spring that cleared itself up after starting the subscription. Parasitic wasps, which are included in the subscription, do target sawfly larvae.

[@maryflohr7387]

Hi I love your videos. I had a quick question. What water meter do you like? I tend to water too much and even though it's a drought I think I am over watering. I have all types of hydrangeas. My limelights are the ones that are struggling because they are in clay. I put them around my pond. You inspired me with your hedge. Any help would be appreciated

[@SouthernersGarden]

I’m not clear on what you mean by meter, but the last video I put out before this one contained all of my favorite watering tools, including timers if that’s what you’re referring to.

[@maryflohr7387]

It reads the dampness of the soil. Thank you for replying back. You are a wealth of knowledge. I bought one at the greenhouse. It said the soil is 2.8 wetness. It's like a dipstick. The one I got from greenhouse broke and it was only a few weeks old

[@SouthernersGarden]

I’ve never used one and wouldn’t trust one to be correct. Your finger in the soil would be a much better gauge.

[@maryflohr7387]

@@SouthernersGarden okay thank you! Keep up your great work on the videos. Love watching them! I have learned so much. Thanks for replying back

[@sandyduncan914]

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕👍👍

[@katherinelarini8514]