Thom says: Your plants are thirsty!
We send out an email every year in July reminding our customers that their plants are thirsty! Even with plants carefully picked for our climate, the brutally hot days can take a toll on our plants. They will need extra care and attention to make sure they have enough water to get them through heat waves.
When it is this hot out sometimes we hide inside in the a/c! But with this weather it is important take a walk through your property, perhaps with a hose in hand, and give your plants some extra love!
This applies to everyone, whether you have a few planters or an extensive property, this heat is dangerous for our plants! This extreme heat is putting a stress on your landscaping. Even established plants and shrubs need to be watered. If you have irrigation set up for your plants, that is a good place to start but your irrigation timers are set up for normal weather and so even with irrigation our plants will need extra water for the month of July and probably August as well.
Thom is our resident expert on all things outdoor related and so let us hear what he has to say on the matter:
Thom says that this is the most important:
Keep an eye on your landscaping, if your plants are looking dry, weepy, or tired, they probably are!
“You have to be one with your plants."
*Note for recent installs:
If you have new plants that have recently been installed, they are even more vulnerable and will definitely need to be watered multiple times a day as long as a heat wave remains.
Don't forget to water:
Annuals
Perennials
Shrubs
Grass/Sod
Trees
From this list, annuals will need the most water
For irrigation, Thom says to water longer, rather than more frequently. For example if your irrigation timer is usually on for 20, increase it to 30.
Thom says that in this heat to watch for fungus and pests. Fungus grows more rampantly in extreme heat.
Thom says: To add liquid fertilizer to annuals and perennials. The liquid fertilizer you buy should be high in potassium phosphorus. In the liquid fertilizer configuration the last 2 numbers should be higher than the first.
Thom says: For watering, it is always better to give a long trickle than a quick shot of water. If you are watering in the heat of the day, add water to the ground and not the leaves!
*Note if you have sod that has been recently installed it will need to be watered constantly in heat!!
And of course, arguably more important than plants, are our loved ones! Pets are included, of course. Take these temperatures seriously and take care of yourselves! Seek shade and hydrate often!
Be safe out there! And take care of your babies: plants, pets, family, and of course, actual babies!
