SUMMER IS COMING, HERE'S HOW TO HELP YOUR PLANTS BEAT THE ARIZONA HEAT

Whether you live in Arizona, have visited, or you've only heard stories of the Grand Canyon state, you're probably familiar with what we're known best for: the heat. In some areas of the state, temperatures have historically reached the 120's, something that residents know how to deal with... by staying inside and staying cool! Unfortunately, this isn't at all an option for your new flowers or vegetable garden. Stuck outside in blazing temperatures, your plants may not do too well during the summer, especially if they are not native, heat-resilient plants. We're here to tell you, do not fear! You can still raise your plants through our summer heat. We'll give you our best tips and tricks for keeping your plants happy and healthy until the weather cools down.

Understand Proper Watering

Water is vital for humans living in the high heat of Arizona, and it is the exact same case for your plants. It is best to water in the morning or the evening, watering mid-day will cause loss of water due to evaporation. Add an extra day to your watering schedule, or water in the morning as well as the evening. If your plant looks a little dry or sickly, ensure that it has moist soil. With all that being said, you also need to remember that over watering can be an issue! Soil should be moist, not dry, but you should never have a puddle at the base of your plant all day. Watering is excellent, but roots also need to breath for your plant to grow healthily.

Protect Tree Trunks From Burns

Have you ever seen a strange-looking, white-painted tree trunk in the valley? These citrus trees aren't painted for the artistic value, this layer of non-toxic white paint acts as a sunblock for trees that spend a lot of time in the sun, because trees can sunburn in the Arizona heat just like we humans do. Small potted plants can be moved out of the sun during a long afternoon (another summer plant tip), but unfortunately trees can't do the same. The white paint reflects sunlight away from the tree. If you're not a fan of the white-painted look, you can purchase inexpensive tree guards. These wraps come in multiple sizes for all trees and protect your plants from the scalding sun. And remember, keeping soil a little moist throughout the day helps to keep your trees healthy in the sun light, the same way a hydrated human is better suited for time in the sun than a dehydrated one!

Protect Plant Roots and Provide Shade for Smaller Plants

Smalls plants, especially delicate ones planted in the ground rather than in movable pots, need shade desperately during the summer. You can protect the tops of your plants by installing a shade sail, cover, or by using a temporary sheet or cloth. A cheap canopy from the camping section at your local store will work as well, and this structure can be moved as the sun moves throughout the day, for plants that need plenty of shade. To protect roots from sunlight, add an extra layer of mulch around plants. You can also add sun-resilient flowers over the roots of trees and other plants to provide a little more protection.

Understand or Replace Your More Delicate Plants

Understanding your plants and the signs that they show are key to good gardening. Learn to recognize when your plants have experienced stress from their environment and need extra water, shade, or attention. Educate yourself on how your plants grow, how they react, and any extra nutrients you can provide them with. For example, some vegetable plants, although they can handle small periods of strong sunlight, will appear to wilt by day, but this is only to conserve water. Knowing this helps you understand a plant's strange summer behavior. If you find that your plants are truly wilting and having a stressful summer, you can pass them on to a friend in another climate or a local botanical garden, and Scottsdale Landscaping can help you by adding plants that will be easy to maintain, we're the valley's outdoor experts!

At Scottsdale Landscaping, we care about the health of your plants. Bright, flourishing, green plants make your home look excellent and we want to help with that. We understand proper plant care. Design your yard or garden with our team today, Scottsdale Landscaping does it all.

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