Kathy Berryhill
Creek County Master Gardener
Our beautiful gardens and yards are certainly stressed due to the typical August heat. Even with the massive amounts of rain we had earlier in the season, many plants are now struggling. While we know precautions must be taken to protect ourselves, our loved ones… and our pets, our plants need our help as well. Some plants, like the Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) thrive in these conditions. Many other plants and lawns are weakened though, and the growth stops as the plants strive to survive.
When excess temperatures arrive, many vegetables, flowers, shrubs and lawns will wilt due to having shallow surface roots. As the soil dries, it prevents the shallow roots from delivering water and nutrients. However, there are a few simple measures that gardeners can use to effectively counter the dryness.
First and foremost, apply mulch up to, but not touching the plant. Windy conditions and scorching sun dry the surface soil, robbing your soil of needed moisture to protect roots. Adding mulch can help prevent the evaporation of water, thus reducing stress on the plant. Note: Break up dry crusty soil before adding mulch.
Next, appropriately apply water. Plants will need a much more thorough watering. The best time of the day to water your garden and shrubs is early in the morning. If you water later in the day, heat and wind will increase evaporation. Early morning watering also helps prevent heat scald which is damaging to the leaves.
Excessive heat will cause an increase in the amount of water plants need. If you are hand watering, watch to see if water runs off while watering. If so, reduce the water pressure and increase the amount of time. Soaker hoses can be used to deliver water to the plant base and help avoid leaf scald and fungus. Additionally, the soaker hose can be camouflaged beneath the mulch. If you water with a programmed sprinkler system, check the settings, especially the time of day. If you see plants struggling, watering time may need to be increased.
To help protect your lawn, mow grass at least 3” tall to help retain moisture. Avoid fertilizing during a heatwave, as the access to roots are diminished during a heatwave. Water lawns deeply during this time, rather than more frequently.
We still have lots of hot weather ahead of us. Helping your plants survive during this time will go a long way to protecting your plants’ health. Gardeners are an optimistic group and we sure do look forward to the arrival of fall and its cooler temperatures!
Happy Gardening!
