The long days of summer can take quite a toll on your container-grown plants, especially if you live in a hot, dry climate: they dry out quickly, they can be sunburned (yes, plants get sunburned, to!), and the roots can be damaged by the high temperatures. There are many precautions you can take to avoid damage to your garden. Here are some tips for container choices, garden location (micro-climate), and ample water for you summer garden.
Containers
Your choice of containers for you garden, especially for your tender plants, will determine the health of your garden throughout the season. For hot, dry areas, choose containers that are insulating and waterproof. Some of the best containers for plants in hot (or cold) weather are the new thick foams – they insulate the roots of your plants well, and there is no water loss through the sides of the containers. Thick-walled glazed ceramic containers are also an excellent choice, as are double-walled plastic or fiberglass, with an air-gap between the outer and inner walls of the container to provide extra insulation from heat and cold.
Location ad Micro-climate
Even in the smallest yard or deck different areas will have differing micro-climates. One side of the porch, balcony or deck may get more sun or shade than another, or one section may be shaded by larger plants or a trellis. Other factors which will affect the micro-climate are sun and/or heat reflection from a wall or the ground. For example, a wooden deck is relatively insulating to the plants sitting atop it, but a light-colored cement deck in full sun can nearly double the amount of sun and heat to which your plants are exposed.
It is most important to protect your plants during the hottest part of the day; usually from noon until four to six hours later. Provide partial shade with a lattice-work screen or shade cloth stretched across a frame. Even patio furniture or folding chairs, properly positioned, can provide the mid-day protection your plants need.
In addition to shading the leaves and flowers, your plant roots need to be kept cool, as well. If your containers are not well insulated and they receive direct sunlight during the hot afternoons, be sure to shade them. One easy way to provide shade is with a 'mulch' of bunched-up light-colored shade cloth, straw, or even wadded-up newspapers tucked around your containers.
The new hose-end stand cooling misters are great for plants in hot, dry climates. They can lower the temperature by as much as 20 degrees F in the area where they are used, and your plants will love the increased humidity. These misters can use a lot of water, so be mindful of water conservation efforts.
Water
Above all, make sure your plants have ample water to make it through the hottest part of the day. Use a potting soil, especially in your smallest containers, that has additives such as vermiculite, perlite, or some of the new polymers to hold extra moisture. Cover the top of the soil around your plants with mulch or decorative rocks, to help hold in the moisture. Any containers which regularly dry out can be helped with one of the self-watering drip globes available from many garden centers, or with an automatic drip watering system.
If you check on your garden to find some of your planted wilted, don't despair. All except the most tender of plants can usually be revived after too much sun or heat (though you may lose some leaves.) Water thoroughly, and move the plant out of the sun, if possible. Don't move the plant to a drastically cooler area, for example, do not move a wilted plant from 110 degree outdoors to a 70 degree air-conditioned indoor setting, as the sudden change in temperature may shock the plant and finish it off. Check on the plant after 15 to 30 minutes, and water again, if needed.
If the plant is very badly wilted, place the plant, container and all, in a large bucket or pail out of the direct sun. Add enough water to fill the bucket an inch or two above the top of the soil, and let the plant sit in the water for 15 to 30 minutes. It may also help to mist the leaves with a sprayer. After the plant has recovered, trim away any leaves which died or were badly sunburned.
