Summer is here. The sun is out. People are having fun outdoors. Life is pretty good. Can’t complain. But then, there are those summer days when it’s just WAY too hot to do anything. You are breaking a sweat just by standing there. If the heat is unbearable for you, think about what the heat is doing to your flowers. Just like frost, too much heat isn’t good for your plants.  The dry heat and scorching temperatures can destroy your garden plants.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your flowers alive during a heat wave:

• Prepare your plants ahead of time, if you can, by watering deeply to encourage deep root formation.
• It’s best to water in the morning, when the air is cooler and the plants are more likely to absorb the water.
• Water your containers twice daily, and consider moving them to a shadier spot
• Add mulch. Mulch provides shade and helps reduce ground water evaporation. You can use bark mulch or grass clippings.
• Create temporary shade with screens or cloths. Position them carefully to block the sun.

Hope these tips help! But of course, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too! Be sure drink lots of water and stay in the shade.