Protecting plants from heat & drought

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BLKS San Francisco, CA Jun 09, 2011

Hi. Since much of the country is HOT right now, I would love some tips on how you get your plants through heat, especially the heat waves. My climate is not so bad here along the Pacific coast but I have family who deal with it in semi-arid climates.

Thanks!

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 09, 2011

The best thing they can do if their climate is usually hot and dry is plant things that are well adapted to that sort of climate. www.highcountrygardens.com is a good resource--their plants are adapted to dry western climates (you can use the site for ideas even if you don't buy from them). If hot/dry is not the norm for the area and there's an unusual heat wave, then extra watering will help, and if it's a small garden or there are just a few plants that are suffering more than the others you can always rig up an umbrella or some shade cloth to help keep the sun off during the heat of the day. If they live in California where the winters are wet, the best time of year to plant is in late fall/early winter as the rains are starting--that way the plants have lots of time to get established during the cooler wetter months. I have not had nearly as good luck planting things in the spring, especially as you get into late spring because they just don't have time to get going before the weather gets hot (this year has been an exception because of the longer rainy season we've had)

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BLKS San Francisco, CA Jun 10, 2011

Thanks so much. I can see how planting and establishing plants early would really help with heat/drought tolerance.

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BLKS San Francisco, CA Jun 11, 2011

On this topic to getting plants through heat and drought, I just read this interesting post from rose expert, Paul Zimmerman:

http://www.finegardening.com/item/19768/should-you-water-your-roses-during-a-drought

He supports giving the bushes minimal water. Yes, they can go dormant and stop blooming but it is temporary and makes the bushes come back stronger to face the next drought or heat wave.

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rampbrat Abilene, TX(Zone 7b) Jun 13, 2011

Don't forget mulch.

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BLKS San Francisco, CA Jun 14, 2011

Yes you are right. Mulch helps keep in the soil moisture as well as can suppress disease, etc.. Thanks.

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