JACKSON, Tenn. — Gardeners can work around extreme heat by doing their work early in the cooler morning and evening hours, a University of Tennessee specialist said Thursday.
“Morning is the best time to water gardens. Less water will be lost to evaporation when it’s cool, and plant diseases are less severe when plants dry off before dark,” said David Sams of UT’s Agricultural Extension Service.
Harvest vegetables early in the day before they wilt, and “hoe weeds so the heat of the day will kill them,” he recommended.
“Evening is also a good time to garden. Tomatoes and other fruit will have maximum vitamin content after a day in the sun. Plants will be dry and comfortable to work with. Temperatures will be dropping.”
Contact: David Sams (901-425-4721)