How to Protect Your Plants from Heat Stress

The summer sun is no joke! Now that we’re in the peak summer months, the heat can do a real number on your landscaping in Atlanta, GA. Heat stress is a very real thing and can turn your verdant, green yard into a crispy brown wasteland in no time if not properly cared for. At Simply Green, we’ve come up with a few tips to keep your plants healthy and green no matter how hot it gets this summer.

Water Correctly

We all know plants need water to thrive and stay alive. But did you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to water your plants, especially in the summer months when temperatures consistently reach the mid-90s or higher?

Watering your plants early in the morning before the temperatures start to climb is the way to go. It allows your plants to get the hydration they need to protect themselves. By mid-morning, it’s probably too late as a lot of water evaporates and plants are less able to consume the fluids once the heat sets in.

Add Mulch

Providing a thick bed of mulch at the base of your plants can help in a whole bunch of ways. First, it’ll help the soil retain moisture, keeping your plants cooler and better hydrated. Second, a lot of mulches will reflect light which also keeps the soil temperature down. And the best part is that you can use all kinds of stuff as mulch. Your grass clippings, old leaves, and other yard scraps can be made into a fantastic mulch – and it free!

Shade, Shade, Shade!

Some plants thrive in hot, direct summer sunlight. But most will need some form of shade. Consider how much shade is provided when you’re planting in the spring. Also, consider adding shade cloth if your flowers and small plants will be in direct light for more than 6-8 hours a day during the summer.

Want more advice on keeping your plants healthy and out of the heat this summer? Give us a call at Simply Green. We serve the entire Atlanta Metro area and are always happy to help our customers keep their yards look great.