How To Protect Landscaping During An Extreme Heat Wave

Heat waves are becoming increasingly common with each passing year and extreme heat is now a part of every summer in many regions around the world. Not only do high temperatures and strong sunlight affect your health and your home, but they can also destroy your landscaping in a matter of days. If you live somewhere that experiences heat waves, it's smart to find ways to protect your yard when outdoor temperatures skyrocket.

The best ways to keep your plants alive and healthy during a heat wave include watering them thoroughly in the morning and covering them with a shade cloth. Use mulch to protect roots and help plants retain moisture, and avoid pruning and fertilizing in extreme heat. Move potted plants to safety, especially your most vulnerable plants. Avoid stepping on the grass and in your garden, and mow the lawn less frequently.

A heat wave can be just as catastrophic as a cold snap for your plants. While some plants thrive in heat, many can shrivel and die in a matter of days. A single heat wave can cost you hundreds of dollars in landscaping costs if you don’t do all you can to protect your plants. If you live somewhere where extreme summer heat is common, keep reading. Below is a list of all the best ways to keep your plants alive during an extreme heat wave.

13 Ways To Keep Your Landscaping Alive During An Extreme Heat Wave

1. Water In The Early Morning

The morning is always the best time to water your garden. When high temperatures are forecast, the timing of watering your plants becomes even more important. Doing it in the early morning allows the soil and plants to absorb most of the water before the sun is at its peak. If you water in the afternoon, more liquid will immediately evaporate, leaving less for your plants. It can also lead to a higher water bill.

2. Use Shade Cloths

If a long stretch of hot, sunny weather is forecast, find ways to protect plants from the extreme heat and strong sunlight. Shade cloths are among the best ways to give your landscaping relief from summer’s most brutal temperatures. Install this sun-blocking cloth over your garden, especially the plants most vulnerable to heat and intense sunlight. Once temperatures return to normal, you can remove the cloth and save it for the next heat wave.

3. Move Potted Plants

The good thing about having plants in pots rather than in the ground is that you can move them. Not only does this come in handy when temperatures dip below freezing, but it is equally helpful when there’s a heat wave. Bring potted plants into shady areas, like under a tree or on a covered porch. Once temperatures return to normal, put them back to their previous location. Consider placing the most vulnerable plant species in pots, so they are easy to move around in extreme weather.

4. Add Fresh Mulch

Quality mulch has several benefits. It look great and prevent weeds and also protects roots and helps soil retain moisture. Mulch acts like a moisture barrier, preventing water from evaporating into the atmosphere. Adding fresh mulch to your garden before a heat wave increases your plants' chances of survival.  

5. Mow The Lawn Less Frequently

When temperatures reach dangerous levels, think about your lawn. Hot, sunny, and dry weather can kill the grass very quickly if you don’t take care of it. In addition to watering the lawn in the morning, avoid cutting it too frequently. If you mow the lawn too often during a heat wave, you can shock it, causing it to die unnecessarily. Longer grasses also help protect surrounding plants. It's also not healthy to mow the lawn in extreme heat.

6. Avoid Walking In Your Garden And The Lawn

While walking on grass and in your garden may cause minimal problems when the weather is normal, it can destroy your lawn and plants in extreme heat. The weight of your feet on your lawn and in your garden beds can compact the soil and damage your plants’ roots. Whenever possible, avoid walking on grass during a heat wave.

7. Soak The Soil Before Extreme Weather Arrives

A weather forecast will alert you to when you should water your plants and mow your lawn, but it will also inform you of a heat wave well in advance. If you see hot temperatures coming your way, be proactive. In addition to shading your plants, give your lawn and entire garden a thorough soak. If your plants are well hydrated when a heat wave arrives, it’s much easier to keep them alive.

8. Check Vulnerable Plants Daily

Every plant handles heat differently and there is no singular way to treat an entire garden during a heat wave. Instead, pay close attention to your most vulnerable plants and care for them accordingly.  If plants are drooping or the leaves are changing color, take action immediately to keep them safe. Monitoring your garden each morning when you water is a great way to keep your most vulnerable plants safe.

9. Don’t Use Fertilizer

You might think fertilizer is a great way to boost a plant’s health when it’s hot, but it can actually have the opposite effect. Strong fertilizers can boost growth in optimal conditions, but they can also kill your plants when they are already stressed. Wait until temperatures return to normal to fertilize your garden.

10. Avoid Pruning

Pruning is an important gardening task you must perform on all your hedges, trees, and large perennials. However, timing is everything when it comes to pruning plants. Never do it during a heat wave. When a plant is struggling (including in extreme heat), it can go into shock, and even die if you prune it. Always wait until the plant is at its healthiest and conditions are ideal before you reach for the shears.

11. Correct Soil Compaction

Soil compaction is never good for a garden. It makes it difficult for roots to grow and can prevent water from reaching deep into the soil. Compact soil is particularly problematic during a heat wave, because it exacerbates problems like dehydration. Before a heatwave arrives, find ways to improve soil drainage and eliminate compaction. It will go a long way in keeping your plants healthy during summer heat.

12. Find Creative Ways To Block The Sun

In addition to shade cloths, you can find other fast, cheap ways to add shade to your yard. You can strategically place patio umbrellas to protect delicate flowers, or use tarps to extend the shade from your roof.  Shade keeps your plants cool and reduces evaporation, helping keep your landscaping hydrated and healthy during a heat wave.

13. Improve Your Soil’s Ability To Retain Water

In addition to adding a fresh layer of mulch, find additional ways to improve soil retention in your garden, especially if you have sandy soil. There are many additives you can fold into the earth, including coconut coir, compost, and vermiculite. If you know the soil isn’t retaining water very well, don’t wait for a heat wave to address the problem. Instead, find ways to boost the soil’s ability to retain water in the early spring.

Summing Up How To Protect Your Landscaping During A Heat Wave

Dangerous heat waves have become the new normal during the summer in many parts of the country. While your primary focus should always be protecting yourself and your loved ones during extreme heat, you should also consider your yard.

To ensure your landscaping stays alive and healthy during long stretches of heat, water it thoroughly early in the morning and use shade cloth to block the sun. Add a fresh layer of mulch and find other ways to help improve water retention in the soil. Move potted plants out of the sun, and monitor your most vulnerable plants daily. Never fertilize or prune plants during a heat wave, and don’t over-mow your lawn when it’s hot.

Related Guides:

• Benefits Of Using Worm Castings In A Garden
• Dos And Don’ts When Watering Your Garden
• Eight Signs Your Garden Soil Is Unhealthy