Helping your garden survive the heat

Even though the calendar indicates summer isn’t officially here, the temperatures certainly seem to say otherwise.

That means we are into growing season with our backyard gardens and there are a couple of things we have to watch when it comes to having a good crop of goodies this fall – temperature and humidity.

In Wyoming, we’re not susceptible to the problems of too much humidity for our plants since the average humidity during the summer months is aroung 60 percent in the mornings, but drops drastically, to just 30 percent, in the afternoons.

While we don’t have to be very concerned about the problems associated with too much humidity for our plants, things like root diseases and plant loss, we do have to watch for the issues of low humidity like slower plant growth.

In areas of low humidity, lower leaves may drop from your plants and growth is very hard for the vegetables that are produced. Often, they are smaller in size and quality can be an issue, too.

If the humidity in the air is too low, plants may wilt and ultimately die.

Heat is another issue gardeners face, and if the temperatures we’ve had so far this June are any indication, its going to be a lot hotter before harvest rolls around.

While sunshine is paramount for growing and ripening, sometimes it can be too much of a good thing.

If you planted tomatoes, the prime temperature for them is between 70 and 80 degrees. When temperatures get to 100 degrees it can prevent the fruit from setting. If nights remain warm, say, over 70 degrees, they have a problem as well.

Did you know you can actually sunburn your tomatoes?

If the plants are exposed to strong sun and temperatures over 85 degrees, the amount of color in tomatoes is actually less. Heat also tends to increase blossom rot and over watering can, too.

You can beat the heat and save your crops if you do overhead watering rather than root level watering as it benefits the entire plant, from root to tip and all the leaves in between. Misting plants rather than full-on watering is often even better.

Over watering can be just as damaging to plants as heat, though, as waterlogged soils prevent the plants from being able to absorb oxygen, leading to wilting and death. You have literally drowned your plant.

Another sign of over watering is the formation of ‘blisters’ on the stems and near the leaves of your plants. They will eventually burst and leave little tan or brown spots where they began. If you see this you should cut back on your watering schedule.

Slow growth along with yellowing leaves is also an indication of too much water. Leaves will often fall off as well.

So how do you know if you’re over watering before these signs appear?

Don’t be afraid to stick your finger down in the dirt an inch or two. If the soil is still wet at that level, you’re probably watering too much.

With a little care and the right knowledge, you’re sure to have a great harvest this fall.