Did you know that potted plants can reach temperatures over 115°F on an 80° day? Don't just take our word for it - check out this article from Montana State University
Our nursery receives very full (14+ hours!) sun. This is delightful in cool spring and fall weather, but it is brutal in the heat. The best way for us to help our potted plants through the heat of summer is to keep their pots (roots) below ground. This keeps them cooler and significantly decreases water intake. Temperatures have been unseasonably warm here in Rhinebeck so we will begin moving plants from the sales beds to their below-ground homes earlier than anticipated. This means in-person shopping is now closed through the heat of summer.
But, we don’t just want to keep our nursery plants cool, we also want to keep our gardens healthy, and more saliently our bodies.
Our bodies are our most important tool in the garden. So, please, gardeners, remember to wear sun hats, sunscreen, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! According to OSHA, we need at least one cup of water every fifteen to twenty minutes when working in the heat. If you have the self-control, it is also healthiest to stay completely covered up when out in the sun: long sleeves, long pants, and wide brimmed hats.
Finally, we need to tend to our gardens. Water less frequently but more deeply, directly at the roots. This is best done early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are easier on our bodies. It is best to avoid using sprinklers. Sprinklers are simply not an effective method, especially in dry years, as the water does not penetrate the soil deeply enough. Rather, most of the water sprinklers emit is lost to evaporation. What does make it to the plants tends to sit on the leaves. Watering directly at the roots may be more time consuming, but it is the far superior method. It encourages roots to delve deep into the soil, rather than growing up to capture the shallow water emitted by the sprinkler.
SUMMER 2024 Q&A
Can I still purchase plants?
Absolutely! Please place your order online. Plants will be ready for pick up at the nursery within 24 hours. We will continue shipping perennials as long as temperatures in your area and ours remain under 85 degrees. If you place an order now and it is too warm to ship, we will hold your plants until temperatures cool, likely in September.
Can I still visit the nursery?
We will be open for visits by appointment only. The nursery beds won't be stocked, but we invite you to come peruse our gardens. If you see a plant you like, we will be happy to bring it out for you to purchase.