Thriving in Extreme Heat - The Garden & You
Image of garden bell pepper plant after recent rain with water droplets on peppers and leaves.
Happy June and summer heat, San Antonio! It has arrived and I have one question - are you and your garden ready for it?
In case you aren’t quite prepared, I’ve got some key strategies ready for you.
Water, water, water! - Drip irrigation is great, but it doesn’t quite keep up. You are going to have to take some time to do a little hand watering. Consistency is key, so rely on your drip systems twice a day and increase the duration as the temps rise. Supplement with hand watering using the shower setting on your nozzle and keep the water flow close to the soil level.
Gardener Strategy #1 - Make sure YOU are taking in your daily water needs as well. Staying hydrated isn’t just for the plants, but key for those of us working out in the garden. Did you know that between 11 - 15 cups of water are recommended each day to stay hydrated? Having a cute water bottle makes this part of the day so much more fun so why not try out one as cute as this Owala that I feel like it a perfect fit for BrightSide Gardening Brand Colors?
Understand the mid-day wilt is normal. Plant leaves just like you, get a little depleted in extreme heat. They will droop and you may think something is wrong, but if you are focused on the proper moisture levels and keeping the garden watered, then don’t stress over this part of the day. But if you are unsure when you see that mid-day wilt use a moisture meter like this one to help you feel more confident that your watering is on track.
Gardener Strategy #2 - Make it a priority to get your rest in too and avoid gardening during the peak temperatures of the day. Early morning is best to avoid unnecessary stress for you and your plants during these hot summer months. So kick your feet up in the shade of your porch with this personal neck fan and admire the beauty of all your hard work!
Protect them with a little shade - If you are gardening using the intensive plant method, strategically place your heat tolerant vegetables like okra and eggplant so they provide some shade for those plants that may be more susceptible to heat damage. Knowing what plants thrive in which temperatures is a key step of a successful kitchen garden, but placement of the plants can significantly improve your garden production. If you are receiving intense late-day sun and begin to see sun damage, consider adding shade sails to your garden to provide a little extra protection. There are a variety of ways to set up shade cloths for the garden, but a set like this would provide an elevated shade cloth allowing for plenty of airflow. It also let’s you garden through this season without having to remove a tunnel shade cloth to get to your plants.
Gardener Strategy #3 - Protect yourself from too much sun! Use a sunscreen and hat to protect yourself from the damage the sun can cause. Unlike plants, our bodies don’t thrive on photosynthesis and so there is no need to soak it ALL up. Throw on a hat like this one or this one, both with UPF protection to stay both protected and fashionable. Don’t forget your sunscreen - I can’t say enough about how much I love this one!