As much of the U.S. experiences a heatwave, gardeners are seeing dramatic changes.
I've noticed this phenomenon in my garden outside New York City, where temperatures have been over 90 degrees this week, and the humidity has made it feel almost 10 degrees hotter. This year, it started in June, and we don't usually get this kind of heat wave this early in the season.
Of course, weather is one of the main factors that affect gardening success, and unfortunately, the weather is completely outside of our control.
But while we have no control over the amount of sunlight our plants get or how much (or how little) rain they absorb, there are some steps gardeners can take to reduce damage to their plants when the harshest weather hits. For example, watering the roots generously and thickly will help keep them cool and preserve precious soil moisture. When watering, give them several generous, plentiful waterings rather than daily sprinkles. If the sun is beating down relentlessly, be willing to balance an open umbrella on the ground to protect delicate plants.
First, the good news…
Many heat-loving plants are thriving right now: my Big Boy tomato vines are growing taller than they've ever grown at this point in the season, and my zucchini has already taken over the back deck.
The maggots that infest cabbage, onion and corn prefer cooler temperatures and, like the armyworm, are vulnerable to extreme heat, so hopefully these susceptible plants will see better harvests.
This image provided by Jessica Damiano shows a hydrangea plant in bloom in Long Island, New York on June 27, 2024. (Jessica Damiano via The Associated Press)
Many of my perennials have started flowering two weeks earlier than normal, and I plan to plant a few extra late-season bloomers in case they don't flower as quickly as expected.
And my hydrangeas are more beautiful than ever—12 different varieties, all in full bloom, and many other gardeners in my area say the same. This isn't so much the fault of current temperatures as it is the result of last year's weather: Ample rains in the late summer and fall encouraged the formation of plump buds, and an unusually mild winter ensured that most or all of those buds (and the stems supporting them) survived.
But there is a dark side…
Some of my impatiens are looking dreary, despite the protection they enjoy from a shady spot in one corner of the garden.
Mosquitoes, active at sunrise and sunset, are thrashing about in the midday sun at Jessica Buffet. In theory, heat should slow mosquito activity, but as temperatures rise, so do their metabolisms and food needs. And as an animal in the food chain, my role becomes painfully clear.
Ticks are more of a problem after mild winters, and they thrive in hot, humid conditions, so many areas are getting a double whammy from the parasite this summer. Plus, ticks were previously found mostly in the eastern half of the country and along the Pacific coast. Now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that “climate change is contributing to tick range expansion, increasing potential risk of Lyme disease in areas of Canada where ticks were previously unavailable.” Protect yourself.
Earwigs, which love the heat and humidity, are at their best right now, as evidenced by the holes in my plant's leaves. The good news is that the so-called “earwigs” are eating the aphids, which are more abundant than usual. Thrips and spider mites also thrive and thrive best in this heat.
And slugs! Thanks to the higher than average spring rainfall.
If your plants are affected, you don't need to resort to synthetic pesticides: spraying soapy water directly on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies is an excellent method of control.
Slugs can be lured to drown by submerging beer-filled tuna cans in the soil around infested plants. If desired, the same treatment works for earwigs if you substitute equal parts fish oil, bacon grease, or olive oil and soy sauce for the beer.
When it comes to mosquitoes, your best defense is to eliminate standing water and add Bti granules to bird baths and fish ponds to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. Running a fan outdoors will repel mosquitoes and other flying insects, reducing or even eliminating blood donations from your patio.
The weather may be rough this summer, but I'm trying to stay positive and focus on my hydrangeas.
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Jessica Damiano writes a weekly gardening column for The Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. Sign up here to receive gardening tips and advice every week.
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For more AP gardening stories, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gardening
