Michigan has been dealing with extreme heat waves all summer long, much like the rest of the U.S. If you’re worried about the state of your lawn and garden, know that you’re not alone. These high temperatures have forced the whole staff here at Berns Landscaping to revitalize our landscaping maintenance plans. Here are some tips to protect plants from extreme heat and ensure your garden bounces back in the fall.
Water in the Early Morning Hours
In these intense summer days, it’s best to water your lawn and garden in the early hours of the morning. If you wait until too late in the day, the water may evaporate before it ever reaches the plant roots. You can also water late in the evening, but you have to be careful not to pool the water up on the soil. This could cause fungal growth. Read When to Water Plants in Summer to learn more.
Resist the urge to overwater! You may be tempted to add more water than usual because of the extreme heat, but don’t water your plants too much. This creates a new set of problems in addition to the heat. If the soil is still moist during the day, you don’t need to water more. Trust that the roots are getting the water they need.
Don’t Get Water on Plant Leaves
Water on the leaves of your plants acts like a magnifying glass when sun rays hit it. What happens then? The leaves burn! When you apply water to your garden, make sure you’re watering around the roots, not at the tops of the plants.
Consider Bringing Potted Plants Inside
If you have potted plants on your property, you may need to bring them inside during heat waves. This may be a hassle, but it’s an easy way to get the plants out of the extreme sun and into a temperature-controlled environment. You can bring the plants out in the morning to get some heat and sunlight but keep them inside throughout the day so they don’t get overheated in the sun.
Use Mulch to Protect Plant Roots
Mulch acts as a weed barrier and an insulator. This is helpful during extreme temperature shifts, such as summer heat waves and winter freezes. Maintain a four-inch mulch bed in your garden to prevent UV rays from penetrating the soil. This will also help water stay around your roots and hydrate your plants in the summer heat.
Provide Shade for Your Plants
If there is an area of your garden with persistent sun exposure, you may want to set up some temporary shade during this intense heat wave. Something as simple as some landscaping fabric on stakes in the ground could provide just enough coverage to cool down the garden bed. There are tons of professional and DIY plant covers out there, so you can test options to find the right setup for your needs.
Call in the Pros to Handle Summer Plant Protection
Berns Landscaping has decades of experience in lawn and garden care. We know how to pivot our strategies to meet unpredictable climate changes. If you’d like our professionals to care for your residential or commercial landscaping, please call (586) 756-1145 to schedule a consultation. We offer year-long landscaping maintenance that you can count on, regardless of the weather.