Don’t Let Summer Kill Your Garden with these Summer Gardening Tips: Real Fixes for Real People in Eastern NC

We know you have been reading Southern Living Magazine and dreaming up that beautiful southern Porch or Patio to enjoy whether you are in the coastal parts or the with in the country parts of our beautiful Crystal Coast, NC. Summer in Eastern North Carolina can be brutal on your plants but it doesn't have to be. If your hanging baskets fizzle out by July or your veggie garden looks tired and wilted, you're not alone. At J&S Nursery, we hear from customers every week who are frustrated with burnt blooms, crispy herbs, and containers that just won't thrive in the heat. The good news? We've got some Summer Gardening Tips that are real solutions for real people here in this blog and available in our Newport NC Garden Center and it doesn’t require a green thumb.

🌞 Common Summer Garden Problems in Coastal NC

Here in Zone 8a/8b, our summer weather brings intense heat, high humidity, and sudden downpours. That combination can stress out even the hardiest plants. Some of the most common problems we see include:

• Burnt or fading flowers (especially in hanging baskets)

• Leggy or bolting herbs like basil and cilantro

• Container plants drying out too quickly

• Overwatering or underwatering confusion

If this sounds like your garden, don’t worry we’ve helped hundreds of locals turn things around, and you can too.

🌿 The Real Fix: Quality Plants + Smart Support

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all garden advice. That’s why everything we recommend is specific to Eastern North Carolina’s climate and your lifestyle. Here's what actually works:

Petunias are great for summer gardens!

✅ Choose Heat-Tolerant Varieties

At J&S Nursery, our annuals, flowering baskets, and herbs are grown with our local climate in mind. Look for varieties like:

• Petunia

• Lantana

• Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

• Sweet potato vine

• Basil, thyme, oregano (herbs that hold up well to heat)

• Ferns (Macho & Boston)

✅ Match Your Plants to Your Sun & Schedule

Too much sun or not enough can be fatal in summer. We’ll help you:

• Choose flowers, baskets, or combo pots designed for full sun or partial shade.

• Chat with your local garden center staff to find out what actually grows well in the different parts of sunlight your garden may experience. Afternoon summer sun is WAY hotter than morning sun.

• Set up a watering plan based on your availability, don't purchase plants that are more 'tender' even if they say they will grow in our area.

Choosing a great potting soil goes a long way in keeping your garden watered & nourished.

✅ Upgrade Your Soil and Containers

Cheap potting mix dries out fast and can suffocate roots. We carry pro-grade potting soil such as Daddy Pete Planting Mix and self-watering containers that retain moisture better through the hot months.

We also have the Plant Nanny & Oya Terra cotta watering vessels. This is a great way to water when you are away for extended times or just want to have time in between waterings.

J & S Nursery and Blossoms Gift Shop featuring a variety of colorful pottery and garden fountains, flowers, shrubs, trees, and more!

✅ Ask Our Staff for Custom Help

We’re not just here to sell, our trained garden center team in Newport, NC will help you build a basket or herb container that fits your space and skill level and even offer summer garden tips to help you be successful. Need help choosing a combo? Just show us a photo of your porch or patio, and if you have any inspos saved on your home garden Pinterest board!

🛠️ Bonus Tips for Summer Gardening Success

• Water in the morning to reduce mildew and evaporation

• Deep soak less often rather than shallow water daily

• Deadhead spent blooms to keep plants producing

• Fertilize lightly every 2-3 weeks with a balanced feed. We have some great dissolving fertilizers you can disperse while you are watering and some slow release flower fertilizers ones as well

🌺 Ready to Save Your Summer Garden?

Visit us at J&S Nursery in Newport, NC, just a short drive from Morehead City, Cape Carteret, New Bern, and Swansboro. Whether you need a quick herb fix, a full combo pot makeover, or just honest advice, we’ve got you covered.

👉 Stop by today or explore our latest arrivals at www.jsnursery.com