With daily high temperatures in the triple digits and no end in sight, the Dallas County Master Gardeners have some tips on how to help your garden survive the heat.
What To Do
- Water deeply and with intention – Deep watering encourages roots to reach cooler, more stable soil layers.
- Refresh mulch – A two to four inch layer of organic mulch moderates soil temperatures, slows evaporation, and suppresses weeds. Keep mulch pulled back a few inches from trunks and crowns to prevent rot.
What Not to Do
- Don’t fertilize heat stressed plants – Fertilizer pushes new growth, and tender new leaves demand water and energy plants simply don’t have in extreme heat. Wait for cooler weather before encouraging fresh growth.
- Don’t panic over a brown lawn – Warm season grasses such as bermudagrass often slip into temporary dormancy during prolonged heat or drought. Water the grass just enough to keep crowns alive, raise the mower height and avoid scalping. Healthy turf typically greens up again once temperatures drop and rainfall returns.
