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How to keep gardens safe in summer heat waves
Photo by benjamin lehman on Unsplash
Summer is a season to relax and enjoy the warm weather . Basking in the summer sun is a great way to relax , but only when the temperatures are safe . Summer heat waves can compromise the health of human beings as well as their pets . Gardening enthusiasts also may need to go the extra mile to keep their plants and gardens from wilting under harsh summer sun .
Extreme heat stress can be very harmful to plants . The online gardening resource Gardening Know How notes that some plants can withstand summer heat waves better than others . For example , succulents conserve water in their leaves , helping them to withstand heat waves when the dog days of summer arrive . But succulents are unique , and many plants will require a little extra help to withstand a heat wave .
• Take a proactive approach with mulch . Gardeners need not wait until the heat arrives to protect their plants from searing summer heat . The sustainable living experts at Eartheasy recommend utilizing light-colored mulch during heat waves . Such mulch will reflect the sunlight and help to maintain cooler surface soil conditions . Eartheasy even notes that grass clippings , once they ’ ve turned from green to light brown , can make for the perfect mulch to protect plants from the heat . Clippings also are free , making them a cost-effective solution .
• Water wisely . The horticultural experts at Yates Gardening note that water only helps plants withstand heat waves if it ’ s applied effectively . If water is only applied in short bursts and not long enough so it can penetrate all the way to the root zone , roots will then stay near the surface . In such instances , roots will dry out during a heat wave and plants won ’ t make it through the season . Timing also is essential when watering . Eartheasy recommends watering in the morning to avoid heat scald and also ensure as little water is lost to evaporation as possible . When watering during a heat wave , do so by hand rather than through a sprinkler . Hand watering allows gardeners to direct all of the water onto the plants that need it most during a heat wave .
• Let your plants pitch in . When planting new plants , it ’ s important that gardeners recognize it takes time for these plants to establish their roots so they ’ re strong enough to withstand heat waves . In the meantime , strategic planting can help them make it through their first heat waves unscathed . Eartheasy notes that planting by taller , more established plants can provide new plants with shade that can help them survive heat waves . Just make sure new plants can still get the sun they need to thrive .
Heat waves are inevitable and potentially harmful to gardens . Gardeners can help their plants beat the heat in various ways . n
44 MoultrieScene AUGUST 2024