Both people and plants need care to survive 100+ degree heat without dying.
Erica Cherno, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, has some ideas for keeping yourself and your garden as comfortable as possible.
Stay hydrated. Bring and use a water bottle. You need water just as much as your plants do. If you plan to do gardening, do it in the morning before the hottest part of the day. Wear a hat when you're outside and apply plenty of sunscreen. Water your plants in the morning to give your plants time to absorb the moisture before it gets hottest. Water your plants thoroughly to a depth of at least 6 inches. Plants are the best indicator of when they need water. They will wilt. Watch your plants. When they start to droop, it's time to get out the hose. Or dig an inch or two into the soil next to the plant to see if it needs watering. Plants in sandy soil need to be watered more often than those in clay soil. Clay soil holds more moisture than sandy soil. If you hand water, water near the soil underneath the plant. Hanging baskets and containers need to be watered more often than those in the ground. Make sure to check them often. Stick your finger into the soil to determine when it needs watering. If it's small, pick it up; if it's light, water it. Consider moving potted plants to a shady spot during hot weather. Put mulch around your plants. This will slow evaporation. You can use straw, compost, or decomposed cow manure. Use shade cloth, available at garden centers, to protect your plants, especially your prized ones. Build a frame of some kind and spread the cloth over it. Make sure you don't place the cloth directly on your plants so air can circulate. The temperature under the shade cloth can be as much as 10 degrees cooler. Alternatively, use shade cloth over a cold frame, greenhouse, or conservatory. Don't do anything that will stress your plants, such as transplanting, pruning, or fertilizing. If you're growing seedlings, move them to a shadier spot.
Anyone else reading this…
During heatwaves, ornamental plants and residential gardens require special care.
Courtesy of Kym Pokorny Grow and plant drought-tolerant plants together. For the most efficient watering, use drip systems and watering hoses. This gets water to the base of the plants and prevents excess evaporation. Keep your garden thoroughly weeded. Weeds compete with desirable plants for moisture and nutrients. Amend the soil with organic matter. Well-amended soil retains water better.
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