Heat-Friendly Gardening: Answers to Common Inquiries
In the heart of summer, gardening can become a challenge as the mercury rises. But fear not, for with a few careful adjustments, you can ensure your garden thrives even in the heat.
Firstly, it's important to understand that fruiting plants don't necessarily require full sun. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. However, some gardeners in the southern US find that a bit of afternoon shade benefits their plants during hot weather.
When it comes to tomatoes, pruning is not done to provide shade, but rather to maintain plant health and prevent disease. Signs of heat stress in vegetables can be more subtle. Wilting leaves, sunscald on fruit (like tomatoes and peppers), and changes in production (stopping fruit setting, beans failing to produce, squash producing fewer flowers, cucumbers tasting bitter) are all indicators of heat stress.
To combat this, consider choosing heat-resistant crop varieties, such as cherry tomatoes or Juliet tomatoes. Regular watering is crucial, and mulching can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Picking off diseased leaves can also help your plants recover from the heat.
Nicole Burke from Gardenary offers some additional advice. She recommends shading sensitive plants, watering early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation, mulching to retain soil moisture, and regularly checking plants for stress.
When the heat rises, evaporation increases, which may require more water in the garden. To determine if the soil needs more water, dig fingers a couple of inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.
Containers can be moved to a shaded location in the afternoon for shade. Planting half-climbing beans near tomatoes can provide extra shade in the heat. And don't forget, every garden, every climate, and every summer is different.
Lastly, consider planning planting times to coincide with each plant's ideal growing conditions. Tomatoes, squash, beans, and similar crops can languish in the high heat of summer and stop producing fruit when the daily temperature consistently rises above 85°F.
For more information on watering your garden effectively, visit our learning centre. Shade cloth can also be used to provide shade to crops, helping them thrive even in the heat of summer. Happy gardening!
