Tulsa World: Container plants vulnerable in heat

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Container plants vulnerable in heat

Keeping your summer garden cool takes only a splash of water. This OXO watering can retails for $24.99. Courtesy

By KIM BROWN World Scene Writer
Published: 7/4/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 7/4/2009 3:47 AM

Related story: Watering at midday won't hurt plants.

Seasoned gardeners are accustomed to hot Oklahoma summers.

But for the many people who decided to start vegetable gardening for the first time, the recent heat wave might be worrisome.

Depending on the heat tolerance of your plants, hot weather is good or potentially hazardous for your vegetables.

"Some things that will tolerate heat are generally tomatoes, cantaloupes and watermelons," said Vernon Conrad of Conrad Farms in Bixby. "But other things do need water, like summer squash, cucumbers and other summer crops."

He suggests checking your soil.

"Here on our farm, you dig down about three inches and you have really moist soil," he said.

If that's the case, the vegetables are probably getting enough water. But growing in containers is another issue.

"Mulch, insulation and light colors are what gardeners need to remember. Lots of gardeners are running into trouble with veggies growing in black plastic containers," said Sue Gray, Oklahoma State University Extension horticulturist. "Squash, for example turns silvery gray-green in response to high heat. Tomatoes will cease to grow if root temperatures exceed 95 degrees. I have observed that soil temperatures in pots that are not insulated nor mulched on top can exceed 130 degrees just beneath the surface of soil."

So adding mulch is a good idea.

"Plants growing in garden soil will benefit from mulch and daily watering to cool them down. Going into evening, wet foliage can bring about more disease. So, soak the soil, not the leaves, Gray said. "Midday watering will not cause this problem if folks are home to do it just for the effect of cooling the air. It is not water-saving, but just a temporary measure to get us through this heat."

Another tip is giving them a quick soak during the day.

"If they can get water on the plants in midday, just for a short time, it can cool them down," Gray said. "They aren't going to burn the leaves by doing this. The evaporative action will help cool them down."

But do only what is necessary, Conrad said.

"A lot of home gardeners, though, do too much to what they're growing. They add too much fertilizer, too much water," he said. "They can ruin crops that way just as easy as the heat can."

Kim Brown 581-8474
kim.brown@tulsaworld.com By KIM BROWN World Scene Writer

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okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (7/4/2009 1:27:20 PM)

Thanks for the information.

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