Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
Summer Heatwave Tips To Help Protect Your Plants
July 2023 was the hottest month on record, with Arizona's average temperature at 102.7° degrees Fahrenheit—with an average high of 114.7° F and an average low of 90.8° F.
Ongoing, summer heatwaves are difficult on people, wildlife and plants. To help relieve some of the stress your plants are under, here are some key gardening tips from Jack, a Master Gardener at our Phoenix store, as well as some watering tips from Water – Use It Wisely.
1. Fertilizing
Hold off on fertilizing until temperatures have dropped below 90° F. Fertilizing in temperatures above 90° F will push new growth which will not have a chance to harden off before getting burned by our intense sun.
2. Vital Nutrients
While we don’t recommend fertilizing plants during our excessive heat, heat-stressed plants can benefit from diluted vitamin and mineral supplements, such as SUPERthrive®, Fox Farm’s Bush Doctor® Boomerang®, or our kelp/seaweed supplements.
Here’s how they can benefit heat-stressed plants:
- Macro and micronutrients will help heat-stressed plants recover just a little quicker
- Macro and micronutrients also provide plants with a higher resistance to future stress
- Accelerated chlorophyll production and photosynthesis makes plants stronger
- Tip for kelp/seaweed products: A feeding of diluted kelp/seaweed extract applied directly to the leaves (foliar) in the late evening can work exponentially faster than applying it as a soil/root drench
SUPERthrive® - The Essential Vitamin Solution: From stressed plants to producing abundant yields, their unique, non-toxic vitamin solution encourages the natural building blocks a plants makes for when under the best conditions, fortifying growth from the inside out. SUPERthrive® is natural and non-toxic, improves plant vigor, revives stressed plants, reduces transplant shock, and is designed for all plant types and stages of growth.
Fox Farm’s Bush Doctor® Boomerang®: This 2-0.2-0.3 comeback forumla lends a hand when the stresses of temperature fluctuations, unintentional neglect, and mineral salt build up knock your beauties down for the count. The soil microbes in Boomerang® help support the root zone. Boomerang® can also be used as a vegetative supplement. It contains solubilized nutrition that is immediately available to plants.
Grow More Seaweed Extract: Benefits from this liquefied natural kelp include improved root development, more vigorous growth, increased resistance to environmental stress and reduced frost damage.
Pacific Northwest Organics® Kelp Help: This all-purpose liquid is made from Pacific Northwest bull kelp that stimulates microbial activity to improve: germination, growth, yields, product quality, reproduction, flavor, color, and many other desirable attributes. Registered cdfa organic input material.
3. Watering
Increase your watering schedule. While its important to provide your plants with additional water, be careful not to overwater your plants or create an environment for your plants and trees to develop root-rot.
Watering Tips from Water – Use It Wisely
Water – Use It Wisely is a fantastic local resource for Arizona residents. Since 1999, the Water – Use It Wisely conservation campaign has made smart water use accessible and enjoyable for everyone by providing practical tips on highly effective water-saving devices. With 100+ water-saving tips, Water – Use It Wisely encourages consumers to be mindful of their water usage in daily life.
Interactive Watering Guides
Save water with interactive plant, and lawn, watering guides from Water – Use It Wisely.
Sign Up for Monthly Text Reminders
Since watering requirements for your yard can change from month to month in the Valley of the Sun, it's crucial to regularly adjust your irrigation schedule. This simple practice can help you save water and money while providing your plants with the right amount of water they need to thrive—even during our hottest summer months.
To aid residents with watering, you can sign up to receive a monthly text message from local water conservation specialists through Water – Use It Wisely.
4. Pruning
Hold off on pruning—even dead branches and leaves. Dead branches and leaves can acutally help provide supplemental shade for the rest of the plant or tree during a heatwave.
5. Reflected Heat
Pull rocks and gravel away from the base/dripline of trees to reduce reflected heat being directed at the tree.
6. Mulch!
A thick layer of mulch at the base/dripline of plants/trees will help keep water from evaporating quickly. It will also help to keep the root zone much cooler. Note: keep the mulch from directly touching the trunk.
7. Shade is the Key!
This may be the most important thing you can do to help your plants. Even with extra water, plants and trees will greatly benefit from supplemental shade to keep their leaves from burning and their stems/trunks from sunscald. Shade cloth, temporary shade sails, and specially formulated tree-trunk paint can help give your plants some relief.
The above tips can help ease some of the stress your plants are under and provide them with some relief from this unprecedented heat!
At SummerWinds, We Guarantee Success!
