Oh my. We are having another extended, inordinately hot and dry period, in Keene, NH. Of course these conditions increase the risk of dangerous wildfires in our fields and forests. This additional, extended period of intense heat, with only slight chances of rain, also threatens the well-being of the groundcover, perennial, shrubby, vegetable, fruit, ornamental and shade tree plants in our home landscapes. Many of these plants are now under stress. Stressed plants are more vulnerable to disease and insect damage. Under these increasingly frequent, harsh, summer circumstances, I suggest the following tasks to protect the landscape and gardens you love:
Strategize Time in Your Landscape
Plan your time outside for watering, weeding, and picking for early morning or early evening.
Dress Protectively
Wear a hat with a full brim and if possible, a light shirt with long sleeves. Some shirts now offer sun protection.
Intensify Watering
SOAK, not just “water”, the entire area around the base of your plants, particularly those in containers, DAILY.
Update your Plantings
I have had a lovely, sloped, west-facing, front garden for the last seven years (see BEFORE and NOW photos). This is a radiating series of arcs. ‘Pink Nancy’ Lamium, ‘Purple Palace’ Coralbells, Chinese Astilbe, and ‘Regal Splendor’ Hosta have been wonderful until recently. Now they are increasingly parched and sun-scorched. I can start watering regularly but this is not my first choice. Instead, I’ll re-design this area with drought-tolerant plants. 😐
Get Serious about your Leaf Mulch
These spells of hot, dry weather slow down the activity of the Jumping worms (amynthas spp.) that are damaging our soil. Regardless, we need, now more than ever, to consistently add new nutrients and organic material to all of our landscapes’ soil. Fall leaves add nutrients for free. I mow my leaves off of all paved surfaces first. Then I lay this lovely, free mulch of organic matter and nutrients around the bases (pulled away from the stems/trunks) of all of my plants, 2-3” deep.
Consider Burying Soaker Hoses, Under Mulch, on Timers:
I prefer to have plants that do not need supplemental watering. But even my native plants are showing stress right now. Burying soaker hoses just below the soil surface/mulch around plants is a great way to be super efficient with watering. Soaker hoses weep right where they are placed this way water can go straight to each plant’s roots. This method eliminates air evaporation of above-ground mist. Both standard soaker hoses meant to be attached to our outdoor spigots and a rain barrel version with larger pores for lower pressure water, are available.
Plant more shade trees IF you have:
- Matched a desired tree to our ecoregion. This prevents spending the money on a plant that is not hardy to our weather conditions. Discover your ecoregion at the link below.
- A desire to foster wildlife. In particular, Oak trees are not only deep-rooted but also offer the greatest ecological benefits such as shelter and food to our wildlife. Keystone White and Red Oaks are well suited to our Northern Forest ecoregion landscapes.
- A location far enough away from buildings,
- A location with full sun that shade trees need along with:
* Moist, average or well-drained soil to match the needs of your chosen tree, and
* A personal commitment and time to provide 15 gallons a week for 6-8 weeks.
Remember, just because a tree can survive where you want it does not mean it will thrive. Choose and nurture each tree so that it can offer its full potential of 22 amazing benefits. Healthy, thriving trees “shield children from ultraviolet rays. clean air, provide oxygen, cool our streets and neighborhoods, conserve energy, save water, help prevent water pollution, help prevent soil erosion, provide food, reduce violence, help humans heal faster, and reduce noise”, along with many other benefits listed at the Tree People link below.
Watering by soaking and other strategic methods protect our wildlife and the health of the plants in our yards and gardens. I wish you, of course, happy gardening during this, another season of our landscapes’ glory and splendor. 🧡
Resources:
Eco Region Finder: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ecoregion-finder/
Definition of Keystone plants: https://www.prairienursery.com/resources-guides/what-are-keystone-species/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7ylBf6QQ0-SdQOQPJRGbvOqFBgIJgWxZ8CUpwBIp9xtMJeZeq
22 Benefits of Trees: https://treepeople.org/22-benefits-of-trees/
As published in the Monadnock Shopper News, page 7, https://shoppernews.com/shopper-news/august-20-26-2025/