A shade cover for heat sensitive plants can reduce UV rays by 70%.

Photo: Lee Valley Tools

It’s a well-known secret that Kamloops gardeners have a gambling problem.  One variety refuses to accept the conventional wisdom that you shouldn’t plant tomatoes before the May long weekend.

“But it’s so hot already.  A couple of weeks won’t matter,” they say.

Almost every year the remains of tomatoes killed by a late frost wind up in the compost pile.

Then there are the gambling gardeners who, unable to resist the amazing plant sales in local nurseries, insist on planting veggie seedlings and perennials in the middle of a heat wave or drought.

“When plants are half price or better, it’s worth taking a chance.”

Many of these bargains, planted too late, also end up in the compost pile, alongside the tomatoes planted too early.

Beating the odds – make every drop of water count

Although we all know planting in the spring or fall is ideal, there are ways to beat the odds when planting now.

Adding compost to the soil before planting is essential.  The goal is to turn the soil into a sponge.  Some gardening experts suggest adding a 50-50 mixture of soil to Sea Soil in the planting hole.

Prepare the plant for transplanting by watering it thoroughly in the pot so that the roots are saturated and loosen the roots gently after removing from the pot.

Next, create a plant ‘dam’ after planting. This technique involves building a damn of heaped-up soil around the new transplant to trap water and make sure it percolates directly down to the plant’s roots below.

Plant expert Donna Letier suggests that improving aeration will also help plants survive a drought or heat wave.

“We recommend ‘chopsticks aeration’ once a month: gently poking holes into the soil with a stick to break up compaction so water and nutrients flow more easily to the roots,” says Letier.

For potted plants, placing them in a shallow tray of water will allow the plant to draw moisture from the roots as needed.

A thick layer of mulch, around 2” to 3”, during a drought or heat wave is essential for both in-ground and potted plants. For the latter, topping off containers with a layer of hydrated coir creates a natural sponge that keeps soil moist longer. Coconut coir is as a liner for hanging basket and is commonly used as an ingredient of potting mixes for starting seeds. It absorbs 30 per cent more water than peat and is much easier to re-wet when dry. It also helps to loosen the texture of clay soil and improve drainage.

Cool plant covers

Another indispensable item in the wardrobe of plants in this region is shade cloth. It provides much-needed shade to struggling plants and helps to reduce water loss.  Shade cloth that blocks about 30% of the UV light works for most plants, but heat-sensitive crops like lettuce may do better under shade cloth with a 50% to 70% shade rating.

Finally, some nursery owners recommend using a transplant powder to help plants develop roots faster.