Green Thumb Tuesday: Avoiding Summer Heat Stress

How should gardeners avoid becoming a safety threat when it's hot?

1. Become a weather watcher. Monitor not only the temperature andrainfall relative to plant growth, but also relative to personal safety. Plan activities for cooler time of day or season. Do not work in temperatures over 90 degrees Farenheit.
   
2. Evaluate work tasks and the time of day during which they must or can be done. Tasks that occur outdoors in sunny areas should be done in early morning or late afternoon whenever possible, not during the midday heat. Most watering, pruning, dead heading, etc., is better for plants when done in the early morning or late afternoon.
   
3. Allow yourself to acclimate to the heat slowly. Over a period of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of time spent in hot, still areas or in direct sun. Avoid working on surfaces such as asphalt, or near items such as metal, that may become very hot.
   
4. Be sure to stay hydrated, drinking as many liquids as possible. Don't wait until you are thirsty to have a drink, as thirst is an indicator that your body is already dehydrated. Water is preferred, except when heat cramps occur (then drink a lightly salted beverage like a sports drink). The water's temperature should be cool, not cold. Flavored beverages, such as fruit juices, iced tea and lemonade, as long as their sugar and salt content is low, are good water substitutes if they encourage large quantity consumption.
   
5. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to reduce heat stress is to dress appropriately. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes. Keep the fabric content high in cotton to aid sweat evaporation. Neckbands, headbands, wristbands, visors, and hats can increase evaporation to keep the body cool.
   
6. Lastly, take frequent breaks to reduce the amount of time spent in the sun or heat. After working for an hour, take a break to cool down and have a drink in the shade to reduce the build up of heat stress on your body.

Today's WPC Daily photo was taken early Friday morning, May 14, 2004 at planting day for the community garden at the intersection of McKnight and McIntyre Roads in Ross Township.

Reference: Master Garden Products

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