It’s no secret that heat waves are becoming more common around the world. According to NASANineteen of the hottest years on record have hit since the year 2000, and 2020 tied the record for the hottest year since 1880, when tracking began. The latest data on annual averages show that temperatures increased by 1.53 degrees Fahrenheit in 2021 alone. A Cambridge University Studies published in May 2024 that “2023 was the warmest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in two thousand years.”
Thousands of studies have shown that temperatures on Earth’s surface are rising US Global Change Research Program. in fact, US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones moving north at a rate of 13 miles per decade. Temperatures are particularly intense in big cities and hot spells last much longer than they once did. These periods of extreme, sweltering heat have serious consequences for both people and the environment—including your garden. Here’s how to help your garden survive the super-hot weather.
1. Mulch your beds
Garden mulching It’s one of the best things you can do to protect your plants from the hot summer weather. A layer of mulch conserves moisture and keeps the area around the base of your plant cool. You don’t have to get fancy with it: shredded leaves, straw, and wood chips are all great options.
When applying mulch around the base of trees or in garden beds, be sure to keep it 2 to 3 inches thick, but don’t pile it on, as any thick layer of organic matter can suffocate plant roots. And keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of the tree; A “volcano” of mulch at the base can lead to rot and disease.
2. Add shade
Growing cool-season greens in summer can be challenging without the help of some temporary shade, but Heat-loving plant Can do with a little sun protection in extremely hot weather. Shade clothWhich can be laid on greenhouses or installed on outdoor plantings, are easy to set up and remove, and are relatively inexpensive.
3. Regular water
Your plants are more thirsty when it’s unusually hot, which is why it’s important to water the garden during heat waves. Because extreme temperatures can impair plants’ ability to take up water through their roots, deep watering is important during this time. (You might also think Sunday lawn care’s lawn aid and water focusA treatment method that boosts water retention in your soil and increases drought tolerance.)
using hose or Watering canWater at the base of each plant and try to avoid overspray on the leaves. When the mercury rises, keep an extra close eye on yourself Container plants. Potted plants are the first to suffer in heat waves and will need more water than ground greens.
4. Early water
Water the plants early in the dayBefore the sun reaches its peak, it ensures that more drops reach the roots of the plant before evaporation. Water by hand, a Drip irrigation system, or with adjustable hose nozzle To ensure that water goes where it is needed. Running sprinklers during a heat wave may not be the most water-efficient approach, and in water-scarce municipalities, it can even earn you a hefty fine.
5. Codal seedlings
Mature plants can handle some stress, but newly planted seedlings and transplants cannot survive long periods of hot, dry conditions. Baby plants need coddling to get them through rough patches. If you have a large garden, you may not have time to care for all that plant life during a heat wave, so focus your attention on young, vulnerable plants that are more likely to die in the heat.
6. Avoid stressing your plants
Gardening tasks such as mowing, fertilizing and transplanting cause stress to plants. Plants can recover quickly under normal circumstances, but during heat waves these chores add unnecessary stress that can endanger plant health. During heat waves, prune, fertilize, or avoid Transplanting. Wait until the stretch of warm weather has passed to tackle heavy-duty garden tasks.
7. Move the container
benefit of Container gardening That is, you can move your plants at will. Is your pot of cucumbers looking faded in the sun? Place it in a shaded area until the heat wave is over. You can also bring containers of chilled vegetables indoors in late-season warm weather.
8. Use other plants as protection
When planting your garden, plan for potential heat waves. Consider planting tender seedlings under tall plants or sowing seeds under lush vegetation to protect them from the sun. Tender plants can burn and die in direct sunlight, so placing them in the shade of mature foliage gives them a fighting chance.
Plant shade is like a microclimate, an area within a larger area that varies enough to provide plants with slightly different conditions in terms of exposure to sun, heat, and wind. Look at how the sun moves through your yard or which spots and walls cool off early in the evening to help you decide where to grow different plants. If a heat wave hits your region, you’ll be glad you took the time to plan ahead.
9. Install irrigationn
Consider irrigating your garden with it Soccer tubeA garden hose is riddled with small holes that allow water to seep into the soil. The hose can be buried lightly under mulch or some soil, which almost guarantees that the water it releases will reach your plant’s roots.
Water supplied in this way is much less prone to evaporation than water sprayed by conventional sprinklers. If you invest in a Digital hose timer For your irrigation setup, you can enjoy hand watering. It is the best insurance policy for summer heat waves.
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10. Check water regulations
Before you plan your watering schedule and grab your garden hose, check your city’s rules about watering during the summer. In an effort to prevent water wastage and to ensure that water supplies are not overtaxed, some towns have instituted regulations regarding the provision of water during heat waves. Those who don’t stick to the rules can end up with hefty fines.
11. Stay in your zone
Climate change Does not affect plants only on the hottest days. Acute global warming is affecting the length of growing seasons, plant hardiness zones, and the total number of warm days plants must tolerate each year. It’s always tempting to try plants that are on the edge of our region’s cold tolerance or heat tolerance, but try to find a local option if you can.
Native plants More suited to the extremes of climate where they grow naturally, and can better tolerate extremes of heat. In short, if you see a lot of a particular shrub in your community, especially in natural areas, you’ll have an easier time keeping it alive during peak heat than a non-native shrub.
12. Watch the weather
Although watering in the morning is usually the way to go, when it’s warmer than usual, plants can benefit from watering at night. When you see near-record heat in your forecast, plan ahead the night before and water vegetables or sensitive shrubs and flowers. Water slowly and deeply by adjusting the flow in an irrigation, soaker hose, or your garden hose. Although it’s never good to waste water, it’s okay to drink more water than you normally would during a heat wave.
If some tender or young plants often wilt in the heat, go ahead and cover them with temporary shade before going to work in the morning or in the evening. This Landscape fabric The above works well, but a sheet or mesh lawn chair placed to block the hottest afternoon sun can also help the plant survive.
13. Keep the weeds down
Weeds reproduce by tap roots or by setting seeds. Weeds have built-in survival mechanisms that help them survive when ornamental and vegetable plants struggle. In fact, weeds can rob other plants of water and nutrients, so the fewer weeds in your garden beds, the better.
It may be too hot to pull weeds during the day, but try to get ahead of the weed problem before the heat wave hits. And if you can go out in the morning or evening Manage weedsAt least get some vitamin D before you go indoors to fans and air conditioning. As always, choose Pulling weeds Spray first, and as a last resort. Although sprays can combat weeds, herbicide sprays can drift and settle on other plants.
14. Recognize the signs of heat stress
Some Signs of heat stress Other plant problems, such as drought or disease, are why it helps to know the signs of heat stress. In extreme heat, the leaves of tomatoes, corn and other crops usually curl upwards and become cupped. Wilting can be a sign of low water, as many plants dry out while conserving moisture in response to heat. If the plant recovers in the evening and early morning, wilting is the plant’s natural response to heat. Only worry if it dries out for a long time, and then take some of the steps above to save a wilting plant.
Sometimes, the edges of large leaves wilt in response to heat. Sunscald may appear on leaves or fruit. Expect reduced fruit and flower production during and immediately after heat waves. Plants know how to conserve their energy by focusing on staying alive rather than popping with color. Tomato flowers often drop in the heat, but production should pick up again when temperatures drop.
All you need to do is take care of your lawn and garden
