Tips for Keeping Plants Happy in a Heatwave

Tips for Keeping Plants Happy in a Heatwave

Life is not easy for plants in the dog days of summer.

Stressed out from heat and humidity. Spent after months of pumping out lush growth, flowers, or fruits, and sensing a coming change in season. They need a bit of extra TLC right now to keep them thriving till the cooler days of fall and winter.

In our nurseries, we face the same challenges as you do in your home garden. Here are a few tips from our Craftsmen who know a thing or two about keeping plants happy.

ADD MYCORRHIZAE TO SOIL

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Add what?!

Mycorrhizae are fungi that establish a symbiotic relationship with the roots of most plants. This results in plants that are just plain healthier. They have better root formation as well as fewer root diseases and other soil pest problems. They also require less moisture and fertilizer. This is why we add them to our own soil mixes. When you buy a Monrovia plant, it already has this super ingredient built in. When you’re prepping soil for planting this fall remember to add mycorrhizae. It comes in a powder or granular form, and is easy to just dig into the planting hole.

YES, MULCH. AGAIN.

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We know it sometimes feels like Groundhog Day (the movie, that is) around here. Especially when it comes to the near miraculous benefits of mulch. However, we can't say it often enough. Mulch keeps down weeds which compete with plants for available water and nutrients, and helps keep soil moist and cool. In August, when weeds are rampant and soil dries out quickly, a fresh 2-in layer of mulch makes a difference. (And, it makes the garden look nice, too.)

GET WATER TO THE RIGHT PLACE

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Your plants have grown a lot this spring and summer, right? That means roots have spread laterally. (Remember, your plant will instinctively grow a root ball that's about the same diameter as the plant canopy). Move soaker hoses and drip emitters to the edge of the foliar canopy. Also, move away from the trunk or crown of the plant. This will help ensure that water is actually reaching those tender, thirsty roots. Oh, and if you don’t have one, add a timer! Makes life so much simpler.

MOVE IT. LITERALLY.

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When it comes to containers and hanging baskets that are showing signs of stress (drooping leaves, blossoms that fall off before opening, general malaise), the best thing you can do is to move them into the shade and check often for dryness. No one looks forward to this chore as potted plants can be heavy. However, it might be better than losing them. Check often for watering as they may need a deep drink at least once or even twice a day. A good rule is to water when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch.

STILL LOOKING WIPED OUT?

Tried all of this and your garden is still looking wiped out? Drop me a note in the comments section and maybe we can figure it out!

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2017-08-02 01:18:00
Rebecca Weiss
Southeast corner of the house ... close to the mason Dixon line. Acts like the 'next' zone, 6 I think. Looking to pull out 60 year old azaleas always coveted with autumn clematis so I can dig out clematis. Looking for slow growing evergreen shrubs not higher than 5' and or a small open tree, like a star magnolia, or a dwarf well shaped crape myrtle. I can send photos... always buy Monrovia when I can. I just know your roots will be excellent.
reply Reply
Rebecca Weiss
Southeast corner of the house ... close to the mason Dixon line. Acts like the 'next' zone, 6 I think. Looking to pull out 60 year old azaleas always covered with autumn clematis so I can dig out clematis. Looking for slow growing evergreen shrubs not higher than 5' and or a small open tree, like a star magnolia, or a dwarf well shaped crape myrtle. I can send photos... always buy Monrovia when I can. I just know your roots will be excellent.
reply Reply
Julie
Do mycorrhizae die in the heat, is that why we should re-add it? Are there any benefits to supplementing vitamins (such as in Superthrive) during a heat wave? How about seaweed extract? I'm in Seattle where we're having both record high temperatures and are about to break our dry spell record. I've been holding back any feeding, supplementing my drip system with extra watering (the drip system was not set up to be the sole source of water... I'm in the Pacific Northwest, after all, haha) and biting my nails as things wilt, get white powder mildew and in thankfully only one case, die in spite of my efforts. One of my blueberry bushes bit it and my red huckleberry in the shade is not far behind, though I think he'll make it after I soaked him well a few times. Most everything else is coping well enough, but I keep wishing there were something else I could give them to give them every possible chance. I'm all mulched out, as I'm a true mulch believer, my drip system is pretty well balanced and on a timer and I'm moving my poor fuchsia baskets to the shady side (usually here we can have them in full sun all season!) to recover, but if there's ANYTHING else I can do, boy I am all over it. I've got some real beloveds out there. Thanks so much!
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Diane O'Ray-Wright
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Joan
Kate, I live in Lexington, KY. It has been very hot & dry. My phlox I planted last fall started out great but now have brown & burned stems & leaves. I've given them plenty of water but that doesn't seem to help. Even some of the coneflowers have burned areas. I live all winter in anticipation of my garden. I'm so confused as to what to do. Will these plants come back next year? Thanks for your comments.
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Joan Tracy
I have two buddleja lo and behold. both were doing really great and now in the last 10 days one looks like it's dying. The leaves are turning black . I thought it was only one section so I took those branches out. Now other sections are turning also. They are both planted in the same bed with a drip irrigation. Any ideas as to what may be causing this?
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LaJuan Casella
We love your plants! Here in Washington we alway shop at Gibson's Nursery! Our weather varies throughout the seasons. But your plants holdup well! Thank you for the great care and 'Love' you give them.
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Shyling Lee
When will you make the Itoh Peony available in the Southern California nurseries?
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Lee Waynee
Thanks for the tips.
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