Protecting the garden during a heat wave?

[GardenBlooms22]

As I'm sure many of you are already well aware, there is a major heat wave across much of the US for the next week or so. So my question is, are there any good ways to protect a garden from being damaged by the excessive heat (foliage damage, dehydration, etc), or should you just water it as best you can and wait it out?

Any input is appreciated!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Make sure you only water at the base so the leaves don’t burn and if you can find shade cloth in your garden section it will block some of the sun rays. The garden shade cloth has different % of sun it lets through depending on what you need.

 

[Shadrach]

Are you considering the whole garden, or a veg patch/flower/herb beds?
What have you got growing that won't tolerate the heat?
What temperatures are you expecting?
Good advice from HollowOfWisps with the addition of watering early morning and late evening. Don't spray from a hose. Use a watering can and water at ground level. Most effective is two water twice morning and evening. First pass just make the ground damp, then a few minutes later do whatever the full watering entails.
Shade cloth is an option for veg beds etc but not really an option to protect an entire garden. If it's properly hot, 35C to 45C then it won't matter how much water you chuck on areas of grass etc, it's going to yellow and the above soil will die off. The good part is it will grow back. Trees,if you have them are likely to be fine. You may get leave curl and drop but the roots should be deep enough underground to survive weeks of high temperatures.

 

[GardenBlooms22]

Make sure you only water at the base so the leaves don’t burn and if you can find shade cloth in your garden section it will block some of the sun rays. The garden shade cloth has different % of sun it lets through depending on what you need.

Thank you for your reply!
I do try to water at the base of the plants to avoid the leaves becoming diseased, but I hadn't even thought of wet leaves being more prone to burns! So that's good to know.
I don't think I've heard of garden shade cloth before? So I don't have any available at this time, but it's definitely good to be aware of!

 

[Shadrach]

Thank you for your reply!
I do try to water at the base of the plants to avoid the leaves becoming diseased, but I hadn't even thought of wet leaves being more prone to burns! So that's good to know.
I don't think I've heard of garden shade cloth before? So I don't have any available at this time, but it's definitely good to be aware of!

If you answer the questions I asked then the next person that might try to help you may have a better idea of what your concerns are.

 

[GardenBlooms22]

Are you considering the whole garden, or a veg patch/flower/herb beds?
What have you got growing that won't tolerate the heat?
What temperatures are you expecting?
Good advice from HollowOfWisps with the addition of watering early morning and late evening. Don't spray from a hose. Use a watering can and water at ground level. Most effective is two water twice morning and evening. First pass just make the ground damp, then a few minutes later do whatever the full watering entails.
Shade cloth is an option for veg beds etc but not really an option to protect an entire garden. If it's properly hot, 35C to 45C then it won't matter how much water you chuck on areas of grass etc, it's going to yellow and the above soil will die off. The good part is it will grow back. Trees,if you have them are likely to be fine. You may get leave curl and drop but the roots should be deep enough underground to survive weeks of high temperatures.

I'm considering the whole garden, or at least all of the plants in it.
The crops I'm most concerned about for the heat are the tomatoes and squash, but there are also pepper plants and bean seeds planted (which have yet to sprout).
The temps are expected to reach the 90s in my area this week, although the heat index is expected to get as high as 100+ degrees Fahrenheit.
Thank you for the tips on watering!
I'm not growing fruit trees or anything like that, just vegetables (and technically fruit because of the tomatoes).
Thank you for your reply!

 

[GardenBlooms22]

If you answer the questions I asked then the next person that might try to help you may have a better idea of what your concerns are.

Sorry, it took me a few minutes to fully write out my answers to your message. I just posted my reply though!

 

[Shadrach]

I'm considering the whole garden, or at least all of the plants in it.
The crops I'm most concerned about for the heat are the tomatoes and squash, but there are also pepper plants and bean seeds planted (which have yet to sprout).
The temps are expected to reach the 90s in my area this week, although the heat index is expected to get as high as 100+ degrees Fahrenheit.
Thank you for the tips on watering!
I'm not growing fruit trees or anything like that, just vegetables (and technically fruit because of the tomatoes).
Thank you for your reply!

Peppers should be fine at those temperatures and so should the tomatoes. Those are normal late summer tempeatures in the countries that produce the bulk of fruit and veg in Europe. With the tomatoes keeping them watered at root level helps to prevent the tomatoes splitting. Soak hoses are an option you might consider. They shouldn't need shade.
The bean seedlings may need a bit of protection as they get established but once they are they too should be fine if watered correctly.
If you have access to straw or a mulch placing it around the stems helps keep the water from evaporating as quickly.
Some farmers let the weeds grow a bit. This also helps to retain mosture in the soil.

 

[GardenBlooms22]

Peppers should be fine at those temperatures and so should the tomatoes. Those are normal late summer tempeatures in the countries that produce the bulk of fruit and veg in Europe. With the tomatoes keeping them watered at root level helps to prevent the tomatoes splitting. Soak hoses are an option you might consider. They shouldn't need shade.
The bean seedlings may need a bit of protection as they get established but once they are they too should be fine if watered correctly.
If you have access to straw or a mulch placing it around the stems helps keep the water from evaporating as quickly.
Some farmers let the weeds grow a bit. This also helps to retain mosture in the soil.

Thank you for the information, it is very helpful!