B.C. horticulturalist offers tips on how to protect plants during heat wave | CBC News

This extreme heat this early in the summer season can be hard on your plants and Chung says much like taking care of ourselves, they need hydration and shade too.

“Watering early in the morning and just moving containers around so that they don’t bake in the sun,” are Chung’s suggestions for keeping your plants safe.

She said watering in the afternoon when the sun is high and temperatures are at their peak, means any water you give them at that time does not benefit them.

“That water that you’re hitting the plants with is likely evaporating, which is a waste of water, is a waste of your time, and really, you shouldn’t be out there  …  when it’s so, so intensely hot,” said Chung speaking Monday on CBC’s The Early Edition.

If you are unable to relocate your container plants to a shady spot, Chung says set up something that casts shade on them instead. In her own garden, she pinned a bed sheet to stakes to do the job.

Another key way to keep plants protected during the heat, she said, is to apply a mulch cover because if the soil dries out it will not bode well for what’s growing in it.

Watch | Christina Chung explains how to make and use mulch:

“It could be leaves, it could be straw, just anything in the garden to add like a protective layer to really buffer the temperature and the intense heat into the soil,” said Chung.

She said fleshy vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers and young plants, especially leafy greens, can really benefit from this. 

“Younger plants, they are more susceptible to heat injury because their tissue is very soft and fragile. The roots are close to the surface. So those, I would say, to keep an eye on and to help regulate temperatures, and to help lessen the evaporation, is to apply a mulch,” said Chung.

More heat ahead

CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe says that moving forward, B.C. is forecast to experience more extreme heat earlier on in the summer, as well as more days with temperatures above 30 degrees.

“While you can’t take one event and say it’s directly connected to climate change, this is consistent with what climate change will continue to do to our province,” said Wagstaffe.

To protect against future hot spells, Chung suggests planting ground cover plants this fall or coming spring when the time is right do so. 

“Come next summer, you will likely have a nice mass of ground cover to help with erosion control, weed suppression … that can help lessen the evaporation,” said Chung.

Christina Chung is a new contributor to CBC’s Creator Network. and will be making a series of gardening videos over the summer for British Columbians to enjoy and learn from.

LISTEN | Chung on how to help plants survive a heat wave: