Now This is Hot...
I guess I'll start with the obvious, it is unbearable
outside. UGH! I mowed the lawn this morning. I started at 8:00
AM. I wanted to start earlier but was trying to be considerate
of those neighbors who still might be sleeping. I finished the
front and was drenched with sweat.
Drenched as in "step out of the
shower" drenched. YUCK! The backyard
is going to have to wait until tomorrow
evening. The thought of trying to finish it today was too
much. Hopefully I will feel up to the task tomorrow.
The good
news. We are supposed to see a bit of
a break late tomorrow evening. Friday is only supposed
to be 89˚.
A cold front (Ha!) is moving through
and I am excited to say that temperatures will be in the high
80's. Yeah! Looking forward to it. I am sure compared to the
last several days it will feel quite refreshing.
Stay cool
and please listen to your body while outside. Drink plenty of
water and wear sunscreen as well as protection for your head.
Keeping the heat off your head and face will help to keep the
body cool.
~
Shelly
Beat The Heat...
We're supposed to get a break from this
really hot weather in a day or two. Still it's good
to remember that exposure to too much hot weather can be
dangerous. Here are some tips to help you beat the heat:
- Tasks
that occur outdoors in sunny areas should be done in early
morning or late afternoon whenever possible, not during the
midday heat. Most watering, pruning, dead heading, etc., is
better for plants when done in early morning. Many chemicals,
especially insecticides, are better applied late in the day
when the wind is down and beneficial insects are not present.
- Allow
yourself to acclimate to the heat slowly. Over a period of a
week or two, gradually increase the amount of time spent in
hot, still areas or in direct sun.
- Be sure
to stay hydrated, drinking as many liquids as possible. Don't
wait until you are thirsty to have a drink, as thirst is an
indicator that your body is already dehydrated. Water is
preferred, except when heat cramps occur (then drink a lightly
salted beverage like a sports drink). The water's temperature
should be cool, not cold.
- Though
tempting, do not work in the yard in a tank top or without a
shirt due to the potential for sunburn and skin cancer. Wear
loose fitting, light colored clothes. Keep the fabric content
high in cotton to aid sweat evaporation. Neckbands, headbands,
wristbands, visors, and hats can increase evaporation to keep
the body cool.
- Lastly,
take frequent breaks to reduce the amount of time spent in the
sun or heat. After working for an hour, take a break to cool
down and have a drink in the shade to reduce the build up of
heat stress on your body.
Source
Drinks For The Droopy?
It's not uncommon to venture out to the garden at the end of
a hot day to find some pretty droopy plants. Don't immediately
assume that they need to be watered. It may be that there is
adequate moisture in the soil but your plant's roots just can't
keep up with the needs of the leaves. If the soil is already
moist you are better off letting the plants catch up on their own
overnight. If they're still droopy in the morning give them a
drink.
Houseplants, Douse
Plants...
This is a great time of year to take your houseplants outside for
a bath. Insect and mite populations can sometimes creep up on you
this time of year, but not to worry. Take houseplants outside and
gently hose them off. This will not only wash away harmful pests,
but will remove dust from the leaf surfaces and leave plant pores
cleaner and able to breathe easier.
Get More Blooms...
Deadheading roses and annuals such as
petunias, marigolds, and zinnias will promote reblooming
throughout the season. You can fool biannuals, like hollyhocks
and foxglove, into thinking they are perennials by cutting off
the old blossoms before seed pods form.
To deadhead
a rose, cut the flower stem back to an
outward facing bud just above a 5- leaflet or 7- leaflet leaf.
For most other flowers simply cut the stem just below the spent
bloom.
Sweet & Corny...
Corn lovers know that standard sweet corn is at its peak for
only a day or so (supersweet corn maintains its peak
quality for a little longer). Timing is everything. For the
sweetest corn harvest when silks begin to dry, and kernels exude
a milky (rather than watery or doughy) juice when punctured.
Orange Means Hot...
This heat is going to affect tomato harvests. Tomatoes ripen
best when temperatures stay below eighty-five degrees. When the
temperatures hover in the mid-nineties several problems can
occur. The ripening process slows down and color compounds do
not form properly. Instead of a bright red tomato you may wind
up with an orange-red one. Try picking the tomatoes at the first
flush of color and ripening them indoors.
Source
Ozone, Mow Zone...
Small gasoline
engines like those found on
lawnmowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers lack pollution
controls. According to the
Mid-America
Regional Council the average lawnmower produces as
much pollution in one hour as forty
late-model cars! Do yourself, and your
fellow gardeners, a favor by not mowing on
ozone alert
days. If you have to mow, try to do it after 7 PM.
Source
Finally... "Hot July brings
cooling showers,
Apricots and gillyflowers." ~
Sara Coleridge |