Heat brings its own gardening complications with it, not the least of which is dealing with your garden's watering needs.
It's been hovering around the ninety-degree mark here in Michigan for the past several days, and the garden, happily, is looking pretty healthy. The key has been paying attention to my plants' watering needs, watering at the right time, and mulching.
But just because it's hot doesn't mean you need to get the hose out and start dousing every plant in the landscape. Established trees, shrubs, and perennial vines don't need any water unless a prolonged drought is accompanying your hot weather. Established perennials, as well, will do just fine without constant water. Right now, the flower stalks on my lavender plants are drooping over. It looks like the plant really, really needs a drink. But lavender is a tough plant, and would become stressed (and eventually die) if I constantly babied it. That "drooping" is the plant's reaction to the heat, not a sign that it needs more water. By evening, when it cools down, those flower stalks will stand straight up again.
So, what should be watered when the mercury soars?
- Annuals, in beds, containers, and hanging baskets
- Vegetable gardens, especially as plants are producing fruit, which requires constant, adequate moisture
- Perennials, trees, and shrubs that are not yet established
Just remember that, in general, established plantings and lawns need an inch of water per week to thrive. Mulching your beds and watering in the morning to conserve water and make sure more of the water stays in the root zone is a great idea. Containers and hanging baskets may need to be watered twice a day in the hottest weather.
Keep these ideas in mind, and your garden will get through a heat wave just fine!
