Well, after the driest May and June that I can remember as an adult, we've finally rebounded here in SWPA. At this point, it's almost too much of a rebound though, since many low-lying areas have experienced some flash flooding - but luckily no one around here has been killed this year. But the grass is green again, and things that needed to grow are starting to catch up.
If you want to apply slow-release fertilizer to plants and shrubs, NOW is the second and FINAL time I recommend doing this (the first time being in Spring immediately after last frost). Also, do not apply as much as you did in Spring.This gives the plants vigor to continue growing and blooming, but also will allow them time to properly wind down growth and go dormant in the Fall when freezes start hitting again. Also remember, if in prolonged drought conditions, do not fertilize. With overly dry conditions and scorching sun every day, fertilizing will do more harm than good. The only additional fertilizing to be done this year would be your lawn, which should be done around early October, using any granular type of your choosing.
During episodes like these where there is heavy rain every few days, it's a great time to move plants and shrubs around as everything is moist, easy to work, and provides less of a shock to the transplanted specimens. Also, as usual, check your drainage and irrigation systems. If there are washouts or standing water, you may want to look into channeling the flow of rain water in different ways. Spreading water evenly through/over and away from plants is key to their health and survival, and of course key to preserving any hard labor you have put into your landscaping.
It's safe to say we've had almost enough rain to get us through almost another month without it. And with 30-60% chance of rain every few days, that should be *enough* probability to have this timeline extended, and should give us the confidence not feel the need to walk around like an idiot watering all day (believe me, I certainly felt like one after a certain point in the drought). Heck, we might have to cut the grass more than once a month!
Ultimately I'm proud that I kept up the watering enough to keep plants growing enough in size to help them make it through harsh seasonal conditions that we experience here. Since my gardens are centered around hydrangeas, watering was of the utmost importance! They really are great plants, and well worth the effort of keeping up with them. Overwintered specimens here only really need a good covering when late Spring frosts hit, and in-ground moisture from Winter is normally enough to get the plants growing and looking healthy through mid-June, even when dry conditions exist. And, even in the most severe heat and drought, they only need to be watered about once every other day (misting the leaves and blooms is not required but it can help with wilting and scorching a bit).
