The sun can damage even the sun-loving plants in your yard. Your plants can’t wear a floppy hat or spritz on some SPF 50. Your strategy for preventing plant sunburn has to be creative! Luckily, keeping your plants from getting sun-scalded isn’t too big a challenge. Here are our guidelines to summer sun safety for your garden.
Plant Thoughtfully
Even your plants that love to soak up the sun need some form of shade to protect them. Make sure you place plants in an area where they’ll get at least some shade throughout the day. This will prevent scalding or over-drying, and will help you conserve water as well. To ensure a protective shade, and to guarantee your plants will face gentler sunlight, plant your garden in the part of your lawn that has a northern or eastern exposure.
Use Sunblock
If you can’t provide your plants the amount of shade they need, use another method to keep them insulated and keep moisture in the soil around them. Try applying a “sunblock,” like mulch, that will prevent moisture from escaping the ground around your plants. Mulch will also help protect your plants by absorbing sunlight before it can hit the soil. Some fertilizers can serve a similar purpose. Consult a professional landscaper to find out what option is best for your plants.
Create Shade
Invest in shade netting or another tent-style covering for your plants. You can easily create your own, with stakes, frames and fabric you have around the house, or you can buy garden-specific tools. A hoop-and-cloth setup will give your plants room to breathe while keeping them cool throughout the day. A shade screen also protects from wind, rain and other elements that may besiege your plants. It’s well worth the investment, and can make your outdoor area more comfortable as well.
The best way to prevent plant sunburn? Investing in some expert help to protect your plants. ABC Scapes specializes in landscaping that is compatible with Arizona’s blazing sun. Give us a call at 602-404-0568 to get started.