LJWorld.com

The dry, hot months of mid- to late summer in Kansas will soon be a reality. Many gardeners are contemplating how to keep their outside oases colorful and inviting during the torturous days to come.

The best approach gardeners can take is a preventive, proactive stance before the heat has engulfed the area. Heat is not necessarily the culprit for wilting, dying plants. A lack of water is the usual suspect.

Now is the time to establish a strong, deep root system by letting your plants dry out a bit between each watering. This will stimulate their roots to go deeper in search of water, creating a hearty and healthy root system that will be feeding off natural nutrients rather than being too dependent on sprinklers.

Spreading mulch also will keep your garden happy. Liberally applying mulch to the plants' base will help keep weeds at bay, beautify the landscape and allow the plant to hold water more efficiently. Try to water in the morning so the sun and wind have time throughout the day to burn off any droplets left on leaves. This will help prevent mildew from forming.

Another way to help ensure an outdoor paradise this hot, dry season is to buy perennials and annuals from local garden centers rather than through a catalog. Local garden centers know what grows best in their zones, and they will stock accordingly.

In addition to watering correctly and attempting to buy locally, gardeners can increase their odds of a blooming bonanza all season by following planting instructions. With correct placement, proper lighting and adequate watering most plants should thrive.

There are some native Kansas plants that relish the harsh, dry conditions of late summer and would be excellent additions to any garden in the area. Some of these tried and true heat lovers are liatris, black-eyed Susans, echinacea, scabiosa, sunflowers, daisies, yarrow, gallardia, native ornamental grasses, sedums and vinca. You may even want to experiment with placing tropical plants, such as cannas, bouganvillea and crocosmia, throughout the landscape.

Making a garden lovely no matter the conditions is a matter of common sense and logical thinking. We all slow down and require more hydrating in oppressive heat, and the same is true for our gardens. Plants need to conserve energy and get ready to bloom vigorously once the heat has passed.

Lawrence master gardener Jack Landgrebe weeds around some yarrow in a garden at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Landgrebe experiments with different types of plants that can survive the Kansas summers.

Gardeners can get a great head start by following a watering routine now, applying plenty of mulch, planting in the proper place and having native Kansas plants in the garden. All this -- plus a dose of luck and Mother Nature easing up on her wrath in the warm months to come -- will bring the colorful gardens we all crave year-round.

-- Jennifer Oldridge, a Kansas University graduate, is an avid gardener who previously operated a landscaping business.