DFW Area Fall Gardeners - Heat

[AlittleSalt]

I've spent 50 summers in the DFW area. I worked outside for nearly half of those years. I know that there are a lot of new gardeners in our area. August is usually the hottest month here, but extremely hot days happen in September too. If you have already - or are planting a Fall garden, The two most important things to remember is to shade from noon till dusk, and use a mulch to help keep the soil temperature down. Think of it this way, if the garden soil is too hot to walk on barefooted - it is too hot for plants to grow in.

Of course, water when needed, but only in the evening or at night.

In my 50 years here, I've seen some very high temperatures in September. It seems like it should be getting cooler in September, but that usually doesn't happen until the third week of September. And that is 95F.

Here is a list of the top 10 hottest days https://dallas-tx.knoji.com/10-allti...ays-in-dallas/ Notice how days of 109F are not represented? Many of those days happen in August through the first two weeks of September. If you are growing in a pot - you can move them inside or in the direct shade. In-ground - shade and mulch.

Most people give up on Fall gardening in our area. I'm just stubborn. I know some of you are just as stubborn. It's not a bad thing. Sometimes, we do things just because it's not supposed to be possible. After all, It can happen. Besides, you're a Texan.