Five ways to protect your plants in extreme summer conditions
Don't lose your plants during a harsh summer. We bring you five ways in which you can protect your plants during this time of year.
Over the past few days, South Africans have experienced extreme weather conditions.
Although many of us protect ourselves from the sun rays, sometimes we neglect to protect our plants. However, it is very important to protect your plants from extreme summer conditions because exposing your plants to bright sunlight will harm them.
Below, we take a look at certain things you can do to ensure that your plants are protected from the extreme heat.
- One of the best ways to protect your plants from the damage that can be caused by the sun is to paint their trunks up to the lower branches with white latex paint. This will reflect the sun's rays.
- If you are not too keen on painting their trunks, you can try wrapping the trunks with burlap or crepe kraft paper.
- Use wood chips or shredded newspaper as mulches. They keep the soil cool, which is exactly what you need in hot summer conditions.
- Provide shade for your plants by either using shade cloths or by using natural shade provided by taller plants.
- Water your plants in the mornings. This will help protect them from the heat and ensure that the roots are amply hydrated.