As soon as temperatures reach 85°F and above, your garden could be susceptible to irreversible heat damage. Depending on the type and size of your plants, the harmful effects of the hottest months can leave a lasting impact.
However, as the temperatures creep up this summer, you don’t have to stand by and watch them wreak havoc on your crops. If you’re wondering how to save plants from the heat, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for our 5 easy solutions to protect your plants from getting cooked by the sun.
1. Water Early, Water Often
Heat causes water to quickly evaporate, so if you’re wondering how to save plants, it’s extra important to make sure your garden is watered thoroughly on a daily basis (unless it’s raining, of course).
This is best done early in the morning before the heat hits in the afternoon. If it gets too hot, water will evaporate before it’s absorbed into the soil, especially when using a sprinkler.
Keeping your plants’ leaves moist will also help cool them and protect them against getting scalded by the heat. You should aim to water at least once a day, or more if you’re working with seedlings or nursery beds.
2. Apply a Protective Layer of Mulch
Too much summer heat can fry your plants and dry out your soil if you’re not careful. If you’re considering how to save plants, it’s a good idea to add a layer of garden mulch on top of your soil in order to guard it against the harmful effects of higher temperatures.
Pacific Lawn Maintenance suggests applying a generous mulch layer to the surface of your garden, especially during the hotter months. The lighter the color of the mulch, the greater amount of sunlight it will reflect. This results in cooler soil conditions, helping your garden thrive in higher temperatures.
Mulch also helps keep your soil hydrated; this is because it acts as a layer of garden protection. Not only does it protect for the drying effects of excessive heat, but it also reduces the evaporation of water from the soil so you don’t have to water as often.
3. Protect Transplants and Seedlings with Larger Plants
Larger, healthier plants are not only hardier against extreme heat, but they also can provide shade for garden protection when it comes to weaker transplants and seedlings. If you’re wondering how to save plants that are weaker, plant them under the sun shade of tall and thriving plants in your garden. Make sure you’re not completely blocking them from the sun though, as too much shade can quickly kill the newbies and weaker plants.
4. Choose Sun-Loving Plants
If your garden space has a ton of sun, you should try to fill it with sun-loving plants that thrive in the heat. It narrows your options a bit, but can really help you build a healthier garden with lower maintenance requirements.
5. How to Save Plants from the Heat with Extra Protection
If you’re still concerned about how to save plants from the heat, there are additional protective products to consider. Try a garden cloth, row covers, or other structures meant to provide sun shade for plants. Just be sure to leave some room for bees and other helpful insects to access your flowers.
Bonus:
Hire a Professional
Yes, you could DIY anything and everything to protect your lawn and your plants, especially if a heat wave is expected (usually, it’s predicted one to two weeks prior). So, if you really want to ensure that everything is 100% foolproof, then your best bet is to simply get professionals to help. They’ll know exactly what to do and how to do it. Even when it comes to something more niche, like tree care services, they’re going to know exactly what each and every tree needs to be able to withstand heat, even extreme heat. So this is something that’s really important to think about because sometimes DIY is not the way to go, especially when it comes to out-of-the-ordinary heat waves.
Protect Your Garden This Summer
The summer heat can do some major damage to your garden if left unchecked. Now that you know how to save plants from the heat, you’ll be ready to keep your garden thriving all summer long.
For more tips, check out our other blog entries.