June 21st

By Mutt Mulligan

How Plants Deal with Heat

Sometimes we look at our plants and lawn as ‘things’ we buy and plant and forget that they are working hard to store carbon, release oxygen and deal with the stresses wrought on them by Mother Nature – like heat and drought.

A good article discusses how plants transpire, or cool themselves, when the heat cranks up in Summer.

Fact: 

When temperatures rise in summer, plants transpire in an effort to lower temperature in leaves to keep the carbohydrate factories producing. Research has revealed that up to 80 percent of plant water use in summer goes to transpiration. In other words, the hotter it gets, the more water plants require. If water is not provided, then photosynthesis drops, and plants start to slow down growth and use stored carbohydrates.

That’s why, if you’re going to water, water correctly and efficiently.  Check out this good article – one part science, one part watering advice.