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Heat Stress Tips

July 4, 2012  |  ideas
 

When the temperatures are soaring, your plants and gardens need a little extra help. Here are a few of our best tips to help get you through: If possible, move hanging baskets and containers to a shaded or morning sun location to give them a break. If annuals are looking \"leggy\", cutting them back will relieve some stress on the plant and allow it to grow back fuller. As we are watering so much, fertilizer is being washed through more quickly. Consider another good feeding when the heat breaks. Perennials, trees, and shrubs that are established and rarely watered need a good deep watering; a soaker hose is the best way to get water deep, just where you need it. Do not use weed killers on your lawn during extended high temperatures over 85 degrees. Even chemicals that are safe for lawn use can damage your grass at these temperatures. Vegetable production will naturally slow, but should pick up the pace when temperatures return to normal. Don\'t be surprised if your hot peppers are hotter than usual after a heat wave...they love it! Most importantly: do your gardening early when it is cooler, wear sunscreen, drink lots of water, and take frequent breaks...heat stress can sneak up on you, too!