According to your phone’s weather app, it’s a record-breaking scorcher. If you’re a gardener, your initial thought when hot weather approaches is how to care for your plants. Whether you grow prize-winning petunias or just enough veggies for a salad, you don’t want to see them wither under the blistering sun after all your hard work. Turning on a hose won’t suffice to keep your flowers and vegetables thriving, ensuring your vases are filled with blooms and you have enough surplus zucchini to share with neighbors. Avoid this common watering mistake if you want your plants to endure the heat wave: refrain from watering during the hottest part of the day. For instance, your edible crops will appreciate being watered in the morning, as it’s the optimal time to hydrate your vegetable garden. This applies to flowers, too. By watering in the morning, your plants can absorb moisture before the heat stress sets in.
Make the task easier with the right tools, like a 2-gallon watering can with a long nozzle and detachable head. Being plastic, it can be left outside for convenience, but avoid leaving it filled with water to prevent attracting mosquitoes to your yard.
Start the day by giving your plants a long, cool drink
The best way to help your plants survive a heat wave is to provide them with a long, cool drink of water in the morning. While any water is better than none, you might wonder about other times of the day. Consider twice before watering at night, even if it’s convenient after work. If night watering is necessary, ensure you don’t overwater, as plants might not absorb it quickly, increasing the risk of fungal diseases.
Midday might be the most convenient time for you, but you may have heard myths about sunlight burning your plants. Contrary to the urban myth, water droplets don’t act as magnifying glasses to scorch plants. However, watering during peak heat isn’t ideal, as water may evaporate before fully soaking the soil. If morning watering isn’t feasible, irrigation can address rapid evaporation during the day. A drip irrigation system is simple to install and use. For beginners, consider the 55-foot Maotong drip irrigation system kit, which also suits raised beds.
