Heat Protection

Plants cool their leaves by evaporation. If the soil dries out during hot weather, leaf temperatures rise rapidly to killing levels. To prevent heat injury to plants, keep them well watered during hot weather, never letting the soil around them dry out. For small plants such as annuals and vegetables, and plants growing in containers, this may mean watering as often as twice a day during heat waves. The lawn grasses that are used in the northern states are especially susceptible to heat. Keep the soil moist during hot weather. The lawn--and most other plants in the garden--benefits by being wet down during the hottest part of the day. To protect sensitive plants further, erect temporary shade structures. Shade larger plants with burlap or cheesecloth stretched on a wooden frame. Shade small plants with shingles or pieces of cardboard, set at an angle in the soil beside the plant.