Beat the Heat in the Garden
Summer temps are reaching upwards of 95 degrees or higher with a heat index of nearly 110 °. This type of heat can do incredible damage to your plants if they are not treated properly, but never fear, we are here to help.
There are 3 things you can do to keep your vegetable gardens, containers and hanging baskets, and new plantings safe from the firey heat of the summer sun.
Give Them Some Shade – When there is a long stretch of very high heat, your full sun plants can benefit from some shade. Trees may be out of luck, but your containers can be dragged to a shady spot during the heat of the day. Use shade cloth with a 30% density for your vegetable garden. This will give your garden enough sun exposure without frying in the hot sun.
Water, Water, Water – It’s no secret that water is the key to keeping plants alive and happy. A good watering schedule is important when the weather turns crispy. Watering in the morning before the heat of the day kicks in can help your plants survive the intense heat, but you must check your gardens and containers in the late afternoon to see if there is a need for a second watering.
Make Sure They are Well Fed – If your plants are healthy, they will be be strong and happy. A good feeding regimen will ensure they are strong enough to make it through the dead of summer. There are two ways you should feed your plants. First is with a slow release fertilizer that will give them nutrients every time they are watered. This will give them strong roots and nice green leaves. The next is a weekly fertlitizer that will promote flowering and fruiting.
If you follow these three guidelines, your plants should be able to survive summer and look beautiful, even throughout August.
Pothos – This vining plant is extremely easy to care for. It can take all types of light levels, although it prefers bright, indirect sun. The more sun exposure this plant gets, the more it will need to be watered. Although Pothos is vining in nature, it does not have tendrils so it will need your help to stay on any structure you want it to grow on. Check out the variety ‘Marble Queen’ in stock now!
Monstera – This gorgeous tropical plant is a favorite of many houseplant enthusiasts due to its large, beautiful leaves and its ease of care, Monstera prefers to have mostly dry soil before being watered. There are many sizes and types of Monstera to grow, but we are partial to the variety ‘Swiss Cheese’ which has multiple fenestrations (holes) in each leaf and is available in our houseplant section.
Croton – Stepping up a few rungs on the difficulty ladder, we find the brightly-leaved Croton. Caring for this tropical can be more involved, but not difficult. Croton prefers bright but not direct light. Warmth and humidity are also a requirement to keep this houseplant happy. Mist daily and keep away from cold drafts and AC vents. Croton does have its share of pests including red spider mites and scale, so closely monitor your plant to catch them before they are a problem. Using an organic pesticide like 
efer a specific soil mix that will maintain moisture while letting go of water. Speaking of watering, avoid any water near the crown of the plant. When it comes to sunlight, Orchids need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight from a south-facing window. Feed your orchid regularly with an