Japanese maples, celebrated for their ease of care, will struggle to stay healthy in your garden in the sweltering heat if their soil is neglected. These stunning specimens possess delicate roots that are prone to drying out swiftly in intense heat, rendering them vulnerable to damage.
The vibrant red foliage of Japanese maples is extremely susceptible to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and can suffer scorching if the soil loses moisture. But fret not about never-ending watering, as experts at Ruhlig Farms & Gardens have shared some sage advice for aiding your Japanese maples’ hydration without constant attention. They recommend gardeners carry out a simple task right now that will only take several minutes.
They advised: “Mulching will help to retain moisture and cool root zones to protect these trees. Apply two to four inches of mulch under your Japanese maples, extending out to the drip line for complete protection.”
Using mulch, an effortless gardening strategy involving the spreading of organic material atop the soil encircling plants, traditionally aims to enrich them.
Yet, during summertime, mulching additionally shields the earth from heat and fortifies moisture retention, mitigating regular watering needs.
By mulching around your Japanese maple, you’ll enhance the soil quality, bolstering its capacity to preserve water and diminishing the chances of the tree wilting or prematurely shedding leaves.
Optimal choices for Japanese maples include shredded bark, wood chips, pine needles, sand, and compost; these selections excel in maintaining a cool and damp environment for the cherished trees.
Mulching Japanese maples is a far superior practice to fertilising them, due to the potential accumulation of salts from the fertilisers that necessitate more energy and water for the trees to maintain health.
These salts can scorch the tender roots of Japanese maples if the soil becomes dry, risking grave damage or even death to the plant.
All it takes is to lay down an even spread of mulch around the tree, taking care to avoid smothering by leaving space near the trunk.
The expert advised: “Be sure to keep the mulch several inches away from the tree’s trunk to avoid fungus problems and crown rot.”
By maintaining proper mulch on your Japanese maples as temperatures soar, you will enjoy a healthier tree that sprouts fuller, more vigorous leaves and demands less frequent watering.