Q. Can you give some tips
to on how to survive this latest bout of heat? Is it simply too hot right now
for plants? Is shade cloth the answer?
to on how to survive this latest bout of heat? Is it simply too hot right now
for plants? Is shade cloth the answer?
A. It has been hot
these past few weeks and very stressful for many landscape plants. There has been a combination of high temperatures, intense sunlight, very low humidity and windy conditions. Just like
us, healthy plants have the best tolerance to the extremes of heat and cold.
But water and fertilizer can be a killer if too much is applied.
these past few weeks and very stressful for many landscape plants. There has been a combination of high temperatures, intense sunlight, very low humidity and windy conditions. Just like
us, healthy plants have the best tolerance to the extremes of heat and cold.
But water and fertilizer can be a killer if too much is applied.
Shade
cloth is helpful in some situations but it is usually for vegetables. Use shade
cloth to manage the intensity of sunlight and reduce sunburn on tender vegetables.
Shade cloth providing somewhere between 30 to 50% shade is used with these plants. Otherwise, rely
on leaves of plants to provide their own filtered light.
cloth is helpful in some situations but it is usually for vegetables. Use shade
cloth to manage the intensity of sunlight and reduce sunburn on tender vegetables.
Shade cloth providing somewhere between 30 to 50% shade is used with these plants. Otherwise, rely
on leaves of plants to provide their own filtered light.
Avoid
watering trees, shrubs or any plants that are woody every day. Try to give
these plants at least one day of rest, without irrigation, between waterings.
Some landscape plants have roots that suffocate easily if the soil contains too
much water. These plants seem to “die overnight” when watered daily or the soil
remains wet.
watering trees, shrubs or any plants that are woody every day. Try to give
these plants at least one day of rest, without irrigation, between waterings.
Some landscape plants have roots that suffocate easily if the soil contains too
much water. These plants seem to “die overnight” when watered daily or the soil
remains wet.
Mulch helps. Mulch of any kind, whether it is
rock or wood chips, applied to the surface of the soil helps cool it, preserves
soil moisture and helps battle weeds. Rock mulch applied to the surface of the
soil is best for desert species of plants. Woodchip mulch is best for
non-desert species of plants. A surface layer of mulch can add one or two extra
days between irrigations.
rock or wood chips, applied to the surface of the soil helps cool it, preserves
soil moisture and helps battle weeds. Rock mulch applied to the surface of the
soil is best for desert species of plants. Woodchip mulch is best for
non-desert species of plants. A surface layer of mulch can add one or two extra
days between irrigations.
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| A wet sponge drips water because it can hold no more. A sponge is moist after it has been squeezed. |
Water just before the heat. Make sure plants enter the heat of
the day with their roots surrounded by moist soil. There is a difference
between “wet” and “moist”. This is particularly true of plants grown in
containers. These soils dry out faster than soils in the landscape. Plus
containers warm their soils faster compared to landscape soils. Wet or moist
soils warm up slower than drier soils.
the day with their roots surrounded by moist soil. There is a difference
between “wet” and “moist”. This is particularly true of plants grown in
containers. These soils dry out faster than soils in the landscape. Plus
containers warm their soils faster compared to landscape soils. Wet or moist
soils warm up slower than drier soils.
Water lawns early in the morning. Apply lawn irrigations as close to
sunup as possible but when still dark. Windspeed is usually slowest at these
times. Never put a lawn “to bed” wet. Give the leaves a chance to dry off
before it gets dark. This helps avoid lawn diseases.
sunup as possible but when still dark. Windspeed is usually slowest at these
times. Never put a lawn “to bed” wet. Give the leaves a chance to dry off
before it gets dark. This helps avoid lawn diseases.
Fertilizer can be applied now. You can apply fertilizers this time
year but use half the recommended rate and apply it when temperatures are cool,
during the mornings or evenings. Make sure dry fertilizers are rinsed into the
soil immediately after they are applied. Lifertilizers can be sprayed on
leaves but only during morning when temperatures are cool.
year but use half the recommended rate and apply it when temperatures are cool,
during the mornings or evenings. Make sure dry fertilizers are rinsed into the
soil immediately after they are applied. Lifertilizers can be sprayed on
leaves but only during morning when temperatures are cool.
Some pruning can be done now. Light pruning can be done anytime
during the growing season. Never use anything bigger than a hand pruner this
time of year. Use saws and loppers only during late fall winter and
early spring. Don’t remove too much. Always leave some growth to shade the
trunk, stems and branches.