DFW Area Fall Gardeners - Heat

AlittleSalt · August 1, 2015

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.

OzoneNY · August 1, 2015

Thanks for the tips

b54red · August 1, 2015

Those are some good tips because down here in south Alabama we have the same problems along with persistent pest and disease issues. I would add to your list of things to do keeping the plants sprayed with a good fungicide and watch for spider mites.

I set my fall plants out a little early this year the third week in June. It was just too hot to get plants ready for late July set out which is usually ideal timing here. Despite three weeks with temps around 100 some of those little plants are setting fairly good and if I can keep them healthy and free of spider mites which have really decimated my older plants they should keep making til frost.

Bill

pauldavid · August 2, 2015

Thanks for the tips Robert

August 1, 2015	#1
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	DFW Area Fall Gardeners - Heat 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. Last edited by AlittleSalt; August 1, 2015 at 12:45 AM.

August 1, 2015	#2
OzoneNY Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 390	Thanks for the tips

August 1, 2015	#3
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Those are some good tips because down here in south Alabama we have the same problems along with persistent pest and disease issues. I would add to your list of things to do keeping the plants sprayed with a good fungicide and watch for spider mites. I set my fall plants out a little early this year the third week in June. It was just too hot to get plants ready for late July set out which is usually ideal timing here. Despite three weeks with temps around 100 some of those little plants are setting fairly good and if I can keep them healthy and free of spider mites which have really decimated my older plants they should keep making til frost. Bill

August 2, 2015	#4
pauldavid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NE Louisiana, Zone 8A Posts: 1,179	Thanks for the tips Robert