How To Beat Wind & Heat
Watering your garden efficiently is essential in conserving water, especially in our high desert climate. It is important to both keep your plants healthy and conserve water. To ensure optimal water conservation, water your plants during the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots to reduce wasting water.
From my early morning bike rides I often see homeowners apparently trying to grow their sidewalk. If you have automatic sprinklers, check them regularly to be sure they are not watering the street or sidewalk.
I would not consider leaving plants without mulch in this hot weather. Mulching around plants helps retain moisture and reduce the frequency of watering. When this hot dry spell is over adjust your watering accordingly. By adopting these simple practices, you can help conserve water while keeping your garden thriving.
The hot, windy afternoons of Heber Valley can have detrimental effects on plants in our gardens. Wind can cause excessive evaporation from leaves, leading to dehydration and wilting. It can also physically damage plants by breaking stems or uprooting them. High temperatures can increase rate water leaves the plant through transpiration, resulting in water stress for plants. Additionally, heat can scorch leaves and slow down plant growth.
Do a deep soak for lawns several times a week during this hot weather. I often see people just quickly water the surface of both their lawn and landscape plants. If the water does not sink into the roots it will not help the plant.
Let’s hope we get those cool afternoon thunderstorms so typical of the high mountain valley very soon!
