Extreme Heat Vegetable Gardening: 11 Ways To Keep Your Garden Lush Green

Though it's been hotter than normal yet once again virtually all summer here in the mid-Atlantic states, we've yet to hit triple-digits on a recurring basis -- until now. The weather forecast calls for 100-103 degrees in my area today, Friday & Saturday. My garden has held up extremely well so far this year. Except for the dying browning leaves of the potato plants (which is normal in any year/climate), my garden is maintaining its lush green hue. But now it's time to get serious - to show what man vs. nature can do. First & foremost, do not pay attention to the 'heat index' - rather focus your attention only on the temperature. The heat index measures a combination of temperature and humidity, and indicates how it feels to us humans. Since humidity is actually moisture content in the air, plants are not as negatively affected by it as humans. In fact, one can argue that plants (especially those tropical in nature - such as tomatoes & peppers) may actually benefit from the natural wetness humidity brings to the air. So even though we humans may suffer more when it's hot & humid as opposed to hot & dry, plants react opposite. Develop a good watering 'game plan.' 1) Prioritize which plants need to be watered more & most frequently. Pay special attention to wilting or dying plants, and vegetation that naturally relies on more watering, such as melons, tomatoes etc. New plants also need more water than established ones because they are still trying to grow & establish roots needed for long-term survival. 2) During the heat wave, watering should only be attempted early in the morning or later in the evening. Mid-day watering may cause the moisture to evaporate more quickly and/or result in wilting of leaves. Generally speaking, try not to water between the hours of 10am & 7pm. 3) Before watering, allow the sun-heated water already inside the hose to exit before spraying in & around your vegetation. The plants are already stressed and pouring 150 degree water on them cannot be good. NOTE: I have recently read stories of people pouring ice cubes around their plants. This, too, actually stresses the plants rather than help them. Do not do this. 4) Using a hoe, self-irrigate or create temporary water flow channels as I show in this post. If you happen to get a rain shower, this helps direct excess water where it's most needed. 5) To also help prevent water run-off on dry hard dirt, loosen soil with a hoe by tilling the radius from between 6 to 18 inches from the plant stem (tilling too close may damage roots). This helps allow the ground to better soak up more moisture, more deeply. Water run-off can also be prevented by watering less more often, rather than watering more less often. In other words, water for 5 minutes twice a day rather than for 10 minutes once. 6) Since water on leaves should be avoided, so too should be the use of sprinklers. During hot & arid times, resort to watering with containers (like I explain in this post) or use a hand-held hose. Each method allows you to water only where it's most needed -- at or around the base of the plant. Better yet is the use of a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose. Each waters more slowly right at the soil level, preventing evaporation. Additional tips. 1) Don't use fertilizer until after the heat wave subsides. Since fertilizer promotes new growth, it also boosts the need for more water. 2) Adding mulch around the plant is more important than ever. One or two inches of mulch helps retain water moisture & prevent the soil from drying out as fast. 3) Don't be afraid to prune back plants that appear to be suffering from the heat wave. However, don't attempt to prune if you're only trying to stimulate new growth - plants challenged by the heatwave will not benefit. 4) Removing weeds is especially important during these scorching, arid times. Each ounce of water is more valuable than ever, and sharing with weeds should not be an option. 5) Avoid spraying your plants with products that contain oil. The extreme heat combined with oil residue left behind may result in leaf burn. Final word Use this heat to take a much needed break from gardening -- only harvest & water as needed during the early or late day hours. Consider your time indoors (in air conditioning) like a mini-vacation, or use this extra free time planning your second-half vegetable garden. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower (among others) can still be planted going forward in most parts of the country. And remember, heat waves are usually (but not always) temporary. Exerting extra effort for a few days or few weeks now will reward you with healthier crops going forward. Resources for this article: eHow- How to water plants in extreme heat CBS news- Help your garden through a heat wave Lohud.com - Coping with a garden in a heat wave *DISCLAIMER: Before using any information contained in this blog entry, you are advised to do your own due diligence & research on the topic and/or consult with a qualified expert or professional.

How-to Make a Plant Waterer From An Empty Cat Litter Container

Today I'm going to show you how you can make convenient garden waterers from used plastic cat litter containers. There are many benefits and few pitfalls when considering this alternative method of watering your vegetation. Positives: 1) Cost effective. By only watering right around the roots of the plant, you are saving money on your water bill. 2) Helps reduce weed growth. Weeds will not grow as vigorously where they receive less water. 3) No need to un-coil and re-coil your hose reel, or manipulate its movement around the yard. 4) Great for keeping on stand-by. They are extremely handy when you need water on the spur of the moment, such as when you spot a starving plant at dusk. 5) Can help during times of drought when certain water restrictions are in place. Negatives: 1) Not pretty. In addition, should also be kept out of site when not in use, otherwise may look tacky when kept within view. Empty cans may also blow around your yard when windy. 2) A bit heavy & bulky, therefore not recommended for children, elderly and some adults. What you will need: 1) Obviously you will need a cat. Alternately, ask a cat-owning friend or family member to save their containers for you. 2) Used cat litter plastic container. Usually, these containers are sold in 14 or 20 pound containers, but occasionally you'll see them in smaller 10 lb versions (such as at Dollar General). Unless you're strong, I would recommend the 14 pound size as I will use in this demonstration (10 pounds doesn't hold enough water to be as effective). 3) Though you can use a hammer & sharp nail to make your holes, the easiest way is to use a drill. For best results, I prefer to drill many holes using smaller sized drill bits, rather than fewer holes with bigger drill bits. Water pouring out from larger holes may bend or damage sensitive or delicate plants. Step-by-step guide: Step 1: Rinse out the inside to get rid of any excess cat litter fragments. Step 2: Prepare your waterer by cutting off the plastic product label. Step 3: With cap on, drill 10 to 15 holes on top of the cap, spacing them apart as evenly as possible. You can experiment with fewer or more holes to suit your rate of sprinkle. Step 4 (important): You will need to vent the container to help water pour out faster, smoother & more evenly. To do this, drill 3 more holes at the top of the handle. NOTE: Some water may pour from these holes when watering. To help avoid getting your hands wet, drill these holes closer to the cap as shown in my photo. Step 5: Fill with water, transport to your destination, and begin pouring where needed. NOTE: I keep several of these containers always filled with water (right now I have 6). I have a big back yard so I use a wheelbarrow to transport multiple containers to my destination.