What is Plant Heat Stress and What Plants Are Affected? – DIY Garden Minute Ep.250

What is Plant Heat Stress?

With extreme hot temperatures this summer, we are seeing heat stress in our garden and you probably are too, but do you know what to look for?

And, do you know the kinds of plants, in general, heat stress will affect?

Heat stress happens when garden temperatures reach 90F or above repeatedly for over a week or longer.

These extreme temperatures can affect any cool season annuals and perennial plants, along with other summer flowering plants that rely on temperatures below 90F to grow at their best.

Plants in Our Garden Susceptible to Heat Stress

• Black-eyed Susan Vine
• Dianthus
• Petunias
• Dahlias
• Hydrangeas
• Hot Lips Salvia
• African Daisies
• Primrose
• Pansies and Violas

The signs of summer heat stress to look for are:

• A slowing or stopping of growth and flowering
• Leaves and stems possibly droop or look wilted
• Dropping of flowers and developing fruit off a plant
• Crispy looking leaves
• Bolting of cool season vegetables and flowers like lettuce, kale, broccoli, and the like

If you have any of these or similar plants, make sure to check on them during days with extremely high temperatures of 90F or above to see if they need any extra shade, water, or further tlc.

If your plants exhibiting heat stress are cool-season flowering or vegetable plants, really all you can do is wait out the hot weather.

If any of these plants are in containers, you can definitely move them to shaded areas or areas that stay cooler during the high heat of the day.

Placing them inside a garage on a cool concrete floor can also help them cool down a bit.

Get Ready for Fall Seed Sowing

Fall is right around the corner so make sure you have all your seed sowing supplies and tools ready to start sowing soon!

This includes making sure you have your very own Little Dibby or Dibb XL garden tool!

Our exclusive, one of a kind seed sowing tool with graduated depth markings helps you sow your seeds at the correct depth everytime!

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Happy Gardening!