Adapt8

Next week is shaping up to be a scorcher, but that doesn’t mean your garden needs to suffer!

💦 Water deeply before the heat arrives. If you wait until the high temps hit, you’re putting your plants at a disadvantage.

💦 Watering in the early morning or in the evening is best. This will decrease evaporation and help conserve water.

💦 Sprinklers are better than nothing, but slow, deep watering at the base of the plant is ideal. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are great options that will save on water too! Tree bags are also an option for newly planted trees, but you don’t want to leave them on for extended periods of time. Regardless of which method you choose, don’t forget to water the entire root zone.

💦 Properly applied mulch will help regulate soil temperature and moisture.

💦 Potted plants are a priority. They dry out faster than plants in the ground and may need to be watered more than once every day in high temp situations. It can also be helpful to move smaller containers into shaded areas for the duration of the heatwave. Hanging baskets and containers of annuals lose a lot of their nutrients with increased watering, so it’s a good idea to fertilize after a heatwave is over.

💦 Newly installed plants are more susceptible to heat stress and should also be a priority—this includes plants considered to be drought tolerant. Even drought tolerant plants need water while they’re getting established.

💦 Established plants can enjoy a thorough soak during the summer—especially during hot weather events. With that being said, it’s important to note that some established plants—like manzanita, Ceanothus, madrone and cistus—do thrive in hot, dry summer conditions, and prefer less water. If you do water established plants, be sure to water out to the drip line.

As always, if you have any questions about keeping your plants happy and healthy, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Delighted to share a fantastic idea and extend warm holiday wishes to you! Please note that Adapt8 will be closed on Monday, the 25th, and Tuesday, the 26th. Cheers to a joyful holiday season!

Create a festive tree for wildlife.