{"id":43420,"date":"2022-08-08T11:57:56","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T16:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/?p=43420"},"modified":"2023-06-30T15:40:03","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T20:40:03","slug":"gardening-in-extreme-heat-in-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/gardening-in-extreme-heat-in-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"Heat Wave Gardening: Managing Your Landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gardening in hot, dry climates brings some challenges, and we\u2019re no strangers to extreme summer heat here in Chicagoland! Constant <\/span>watering<\/span><\/a> and stressed-out plants can dampen your summer gardening experience\u2014but did you know some plants thrive under heat stress? If you\u2019re worried about your garden struggling during the summer months and heat, we have some insights to share that will help you <\/span>cultivate a healthy garden<\/span><\/a> that looks great all summer. Read on for watering tips and heat tolerant plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gardening in Extreme Heat, the Eco-Friendly Way<\/b><\/h2>\n

Giving your plants gallons of water every day isn\u2019t exactly great for the environment\u2014or your utility bill! Here are some ways to keep your garden protected from the heat and sufficiently hydrated all season long.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Platt<\/b><\/h3>\n

Water Early in the Morning<\/b><\/h3>\n

When you water your <\/span>garden soil<\/span><\/a> early in the morning before the sun comes up and warms up the soil, that moisture helps insulate the roots from heat stress. It also gives your plants more time to soak up that moisture because the hot sun won\u2019t immediately evaporate it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Spread Mulch<\/b><\/h3>\n

Mulch is an absolute necessity when you\u2019re gardening in a heat wave! It acts as a physical barrier, blocking the sun from heating the ground and evaporating all the moisture. Use a natural material like shredded bark; as it breaks down, it deposits nutrients into the soil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Platt<\/b><\/h3>\n

Try an Automated Irrigation System<\/b><\/h3>\n

Irrigation systems with moisture sensors can water your plants exactly when they need it. If the soil is hydrated, the system won\u2019t turn on, but once the soil dries out, the sprinklers will kick into gear. It\u2019s a simple, stress-free way to keep your plants watered without worrying about if you\u2019re doing it correctly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Garden with Heat-Tolerant Varieties<\/b><\/h3>\n

Some plants can handle high temperatures, and some even thrive in it! Heat stress causes some plants to grow fuller and produce even more flowers. Find our list of heat-tolerant plants below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Platt<\/b><\/h2>\n

Plants That Do Well in Extreme Heat<\/b><\/h2>\n

Many plants can handle a bit of heat stress, but too much stress can cause considerable damage. However, certain plants seem to grow better than ever when experiencing hot temperature stress. Here are some <\/span>sun-loving varieties<\/span><\/a> that can handle high temperatures like total champs:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n