As we delve deeper into a beautiful, hot summer, heat waves are bound to come, and you need to know how best to protect your lovely garden! Here are some tips to help your garden pull through a heat wave:
Staying Hydrated
Water in the morning to best stave off heat, diseases, and pests. Be sure to water the root directly, soaking deeply early on, then less and less over the next couple of days until you need to thoroughly soak your plants again. Overwatering can harm your plant and cause fungal disease, so be sure to soak well once in the morning every couple of days. Installing an irrigation system with a soaker hose can help you find this nice balance in watering. It’s also best to hold off on any plant food and fertilizer until after the heat wave, as they don’t have the capacity to absorb any new nutrients in this time frame.
Hiding Under Shade
Did you know your plants can also get sunburned? It’s true! If you know a heat wave is coming, hold off on pruning and trimming (unless the plant is dead or sickly) to provide a natural shade for neighboring plants. Patio umbrellas, window screens, garden cloths, shade sails, row covers, and bed sheets can also provide great plant coverage. You can also temporarily move potted plants to shaded areas or indoors until it’s safer outside.
Root Protection
Mulch can provide insulation for the plant’s roots from the heat (and cold!), so it might be good to add a thick layer when a heat wave is moving in. You’ll also want to make sure no weeds are popping up to take advantage of your plants. Be sure to pull them out as soon as you spot them so they don’t take any valuable resources and energy for your plants.
At Burger Farm and Garden Center, we want to equip everyone with the tools and knowledge to make their plants, lawn, and garden beautiful and healthy. Learn more and visit us today at burgerfarms.com.