Its Hot The Cacti are happy but the peas arn't

Hi all, if your garden is anything like mine - You will be crying at this weeks temperature -expectations of between 29-31 deg C all week. I've just planted my seedlings, :o( The rain it will not come. So
I've done a little research on, what to do you save your plants.

1. Shad cloth and cover - this is what I am going to be doing tonight -  off to builders warehouse with me to bye some shade cloth and , someting to build a make shift garden cover with.


2. Give beds a deep watering : I found this expatiation from this website. Deep root Watering


The Deep Root Watering Method Explained:
a. To allow the water to penetrate and not run off, till or loosen the top one-inch layer of soil in the flower gardening plant bed.
Be careful around newer plantings, as some of the roots will be nearer the surface and will be fragile.
b. For better results, use a good water nozzle, one that breaks the water flow into multiple, gentle streams.
d. Start watering at a point in your yard that you can work your way back to. Slowly work your way around your garden.
e. Make sure to thoroughly water each individual plant and any open or unplanted area around them.
For a typical 4x1.5 m bed, spend 5 minutes watering; then slowly work your way around the rest of your garden.
f. Now you’re done for about a week, depending upon the weather.

Alternatively you can purchase slow seeping hose to bury just bellow the soil in your garden beds. And get to the root of the matter.


3.  Mulch : Mulching your garden is a great way to conserve - water as if helps prevent evaporation.
You can use both organic mulch such as bark chips, dry law clippings, autumn leaves, Overtime as they decay they will add to the soil fertility.Inorganic materials such as pebbles, gravel can also be used. Although, I've never tried this, obliviously not so good for vegetable gardens , But should work well for larger plans and shrubs.
you can also find a great description on this website:   janes deliciouse garden blog.


4. Move your pot plants into a cooler location : As soil heats up in pot plants - and can damage the roots of your plants - it is best in extremely hot weather to simply move your plans indoors , We have a sun room on the south side of our house which I'm using that is working well. If you don't have something as handy as this simply moving your plants into the shadiest part of your garden or into the south side of your house might be a good option for the next few days.

 5. Water in the evening: or the early hours of the morning to avoid the most evaporation.  And give water time to settle into the ground before its gets sucking up by the dry air.

Well I wish you luck .