Hot weather requires hydration
This summer’s heat wave is just beginning, and everything and everyone is in continuous need of hydration. Offering water to people, pets, pollinators and plants will help assure that all of us survive the stress of the summer heat.
Plan outdoor tasks with an eye to the weather. Work outdoors during the cooler times of the day, usually the early morning and evening.
Check the weather forecast, including the heat and air quality indexes. Postpone gardening if the heat index is too high or the air quality is too poor.
Assure adequate hydration by drinking a glass of water or other fluid prior to gardening. Carry a bottle or two of water with your gardening supplies and take a sip of water periodically. These fluids can replace fluids lost through perspiration and will help to prevent dehydration.
According to the U.S., when working in the heat, drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15 to 20 minutes. This amount translates to ¾ to 1 quart (24 to 32 ounces) per hour.
Keep your fully-charged portable telephone or medical alert device with you, especially if you have a large property. Sit in the shade to take breaks and drink fluids.
It is critical to drink before you feel thirsty. At the first sign of fatigue or tiredness, stop gardening and go indoors to rest. On very hot days, choose nonstrenuous activities, such as harvesting, weeding or deadheading.
Pollinators get thirsty as well. Clean and refill birdbaths frequently to offer birds a place to cool off and hydrate. Place birdbaths under trees to keep the water cooler and to protect the birds from predators.
Arrange stones or pebbles in shallow bowls of water to provide a landing place for pollinators so they can drink. Fountains and ponds with moving water can give pollinators places to drink and cool off. Look for honeybees drinking from landing spots near moving water.
Misters that attach to a hose and clip to the side of a bird bath or small branch can provide hummingbirds and other birds with a much-appreciated shower bath.
Pets require hydration and shade, too. Keep water bowls clean and full. Adding ice cubes freshens and cools the water. Make sure pets and animals have access to shade during the heat of the day. Remove uneaten food and supply fresh food frequently, as food will spoil in the heat and attract flies and insects.
Garden plants, shrubs and trees all require consistent watering. Water garden plants in the morning to allow the water to soak into the soil and prevent excess water loss from evaporation. You can water during late afternoon or early evening hours, but allow enough time for sunlight to dry leaves. Damp leaves in the evening can lead to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew.
Watering with a drip or soaker system avoids wet leaves and can operate until nightfall. Young shrubs and trees may benefit from a continuous water drip system, such as a watering bag. These bags deliver water consistently to the tree, thus eliminating evaporation and runoff. Watering bags are commercially available or can be constructed from garden hoses and garbage bags.
Pay close attention to the soil moisture around newly planted shrubs and trees. Water deeply and consistently to assure strong, deep root growth. Eliminate stagnant water sources to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and spreading of disease.
Penn State Extension offers additional suggestions on caring for spring-planted trees during the summer months (https://extension.psu.edu/making-sure-your-young-shade-trees-survive) and on how to heatproof your vegetable garden (https://extension.psu.edu/heat-proofing-your-vegetable-garden).
If you have questions about gardening in the heat, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Lisa Marie Bernardo and Mary Alice Koeneke are Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardeners.
