It’s already the middle of July! We’re experiencing some of the hottest days of the year and will continue to through much of August. Watering more frequently is a given, but it’s important to know how much and when. Also, there are a few other things you can do to protect your flowers when there is sustained high heat. Here are some tips.
- Let’s talk watering first. Give your thirsty plants that extra water in the morning, when it’s cooler outside, rather than in the afternoon/evening. It evaporates less quickly and more of the water gets stored in the soil. It’s more important to soak your plants every few days than sprinkling them daily.
- Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil, and at the same time keeps the roots a bit cooler. You don’t need to buy mulch. You can use grass clippings, straw, etc. If you do purchase mulch make sure it’s a lighter color so it reflects that hot sunshine away.
- Create temporary shade during the hottest days. Certainly, new seedlings or transplants will be damaged more quickly than flowers like the Spider Flower and/or Zinnia Canary Bird that thrive in full sun. Hanging a shade cloth or building a natural plant screen yourself (like planting near established plants that are taller for example, providing a natural shade barrier) may be what’s needed during these times.
- Do not fertilize your plants when the sun is strong. This can cause root burn. Also, resist pruning your plants when heat stress is present.
We can be sun-loving and still protect our flowers when they need it most!
