What To Do About Heat?
What in the world is a gardener supposed to do when it is so very, very,VERY hot?!
Well, let me reassure you by saying…not much. It is okay to let the heat wave pass you by. Other than making sure your plants are not drying out from the excessive and exhausting heat plus the lack of water, there isn’t much one can do. I give you permission to take a little break right now from gardening chores.
Okay, maybe if I give you permission, I can give myself permission, as well. I keep making mental “to-do” lists in and around my garden beds, but when I arrive home after work, I can’t get myself very motivated to hit the dirt.
I have found that when I do actually work outside, it is just after sun up, or right before sun down, therefore escaping much of the heat. This is NOT the time to plant or transplant much of anything right now. (So, why DID I plant 18 butterfly bushes, two Vitex trees, and a host of perennials in the past two weeks???? I’ll share that next time with you, just don’t tell ANYbody.)
If you must work outside, make sure that you have plenty to drink by your side, cover your head with a hat (and if you are wise, your arms, as well, so they don’t fry) and slap on some sunscreen. Also, don’t stay exposed too long in the open, either.
What I do give you permission to do is to visit other gardens. I have found, over the years, that gardeners love to show off the gardens to others. Along with that, gardeners love to visit other gardens.
This gives us, you and I, opportunities to learn about new plants, gain new ideas, and take a moment to simply enjoy God’s creations (something I don’t do enough of in my own garden, as I am too busy working in it.) If you have to, invite yourself over to someone’s garden.
Yeah, it’s okay if you don’t know them, I did it a few summers ago, walked right up to an unknown house, and asked to peek in the garden hiding around back. From there, I met a new friend!
Okay, so recently, I visited a dear friend of mine in Atlanta, a friend who was instrumental to leading me to Christ. Jake has created a real paradise in his small plot of land.
His combination of perennials and annuals was breathtaking. In his backyard, where only a few years ago was a horrendous looking and quite steep slope, he has crafted a winding path down into a haven of heavenly shade plants. He also redirected a stream, in order to cease some erosion problems. So many garden “rooms” in his yard, it left me excited to get home to mine. I left his house full of new and exciting ideas, ready to tackle my own place.
So, the next time you see a great looking garden peeking over a hedge, knock on the door and ask to see. You have my permission. Enjoy!