Summer is here! With the warm weather already starting to take hold of the Pacific Northwest, we’re all spending more time outside, enjoying the sunshine and watching the diverse nature of our region flourish as gardens and trees come into full bloom. While the temperatures continue to increase, here are a few tips to help you keep your yard looking beautiful throughout the scorching heat.
Add Shade
If your garden is exposed to full sun it can be challenging to grow cool-season greens. Shade cloths can be easily installed and removed with little cost to you, but your plants will notice the difference, and thank you for it!
Water Regularly
Don’t skip a watering day during a heatwave! Did you know that extreme temperatures can impair your plants' ability to absorb water through their roots? To combat this, be sure to water the base of each plant.
Water Early
The earlier hours of the day are always cooler. By watering during those time frames you’re ensuring that more of the water makes it to the plants' roots rather than evaporating.
Lose the Sprinkler
While it may work well for your grass, a sprinkler is a less precise option. With a spray-nozzle hose or a watering can, you can control where the water goes, and ensure that it makes it to where it benefits your plants most!
Pay Special Attention to Seedlings
While your larger plants can handle more heat and stress overall, new seedlings are the most vulnerable and demand more attention to survive the strenuous conditions. If your seedlings have progressed to the point where they're ready to be transplanted in to your garden, consider opting to plant them near your mature plants. These larger plants will act as protection for your younger seedlings as they continue to mature.
Prevent Exterior Stressors
You may not be able to control the weather, but you can control the rest of the stress your plants endure. While tasks like pruning, fertilizing, and transplanting are all necessary, and ultimately beneficial, they do cause some stress to your plants as well. If you’re able to, wait out the hot stretch then tackle these tasks once the weather has cooled! Your plants will endure this better and you'll be able to avoid baking in the heat while you tend to them.
Add Mulch to Your Garden Beds
Mulch is the first line of defense for the soil your plants derive their nutrients from. By adding mulch you are providing cover from the sun which will help to protect their roots while reducing evaporation, making your watering more efficient and reducing the frequency of which your plants need water.
Keep Your Lawn Three Inches Tall
While this may seem like an arbitrary number, leaving your yard at least three inches tall allows the grass to cast a longer shadow and thus allows it to create its own shade and retain more moisture.