How to keep your plants alive in the summer heat

NORFOLK, Neb. -- With this summer having the potential to be one of the hottest on record, heat waves will be prominent. 

Much like humans and pets, outdoor plants too need to keep out of the heat. 

“The best thing you can do in the high heat is when you water, you water deeply,” Rhonda Hoefer said, co-owner of Johansen Greenhouse.

But how much water is really enough? According to the Hoefers, that’s where most people get it wrong. 

“We want to know when the soil is dry and then water thoroughly,” Rhonda said. “So watering more is not always the answer.”

During days with higher temperatures, you may notice your plant begin to wilt or fold up. Rest assured, it is not dying of thirst. 

“A plant will fold to protect itself and sometimes people get the wrong idea when they do that,” said Rick Hoefer, husband and co-owner.

“Let that plant, kind of, limp in the high heat,” Rhonda said.

It is essential to make sure you are getting the water deep enough, that way the roots can have enough time to establish in the soil. 

“It takes 14 days for a root to set in,” Rhonda said. “So they are going to need to have moisture everyday.”

One of the biggest tips for watering plants, do not water the leaves, water the roots. 

“Water the soil, water the soil, always water the soil, not the plant,” Rhonda said. “Because leaves do not take in moisture, roots take in moisture.” 

“High heat and getting the foldage wet, that’s where you’ll start getting burnt spots, they look like little brown spots,”  Rick said.

With these insights, your plants can thrive even in scorching summer temperatures.