Thursday, June 24, 2021

So this is happening...

Living in the western half of the PNW used to mean summer didn't really get started until July, more specifically after July 4th. June could have some nice days but you couldn't count on a dry warm day until sometime in July. That was then, things have been changing. Nothing sums up these changes quite like this forecast. This would be a shocking forecast for August, but it's happening now, in June...

I'm honestly at a loss at loss to think about this kind of heat. As the graphic says this is historic, we just don't see highs like this, not to mention lows that high. For goodness sakes our all time ALL TIME high—EVER—is 107. I mean really 77 should be a high for June, not a low. Thanks to my knee scooter (not typically an off-road vehicle, but where there is a will) enabling me to get out and water things, my husband who has learned to set the sprinkler, and our hired garden help Tiffany, I think the garden is pretty well watered and ready for what's coming. Then again I can think the plants are ready, we'll see what they do when those extreme temperatures hit. My plants and I (and all of Portland) have never seen anything like this. Wish us luck!

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18 comments:

  1. Those numbers scare me. I get uncomfortable with anything over 75°... Do you have AC? I do hope our gardens come through without much damage. Thank goodness for the knee scooter, very cool! (maybe a picture for posterity?). How is the pain? Is the trip to Eastern WA still on?

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  2. If you still have your winter protection frames, it might be a good idea to cover them with shade cloth, to help out any plants you think might not make it with sun and heat hitting them. Good luck!

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  3. I know how you're feeling. Watering ahead of time and maybe covering some plants with shade cloth, window screening, etc. is about the only thing you can do.

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  4. Oh no!!! A span of highs like shown for Saturday through Monday isn't a trivial thing even here. The advance watering is good. Like Gerhard, I recommend the addition of any screening you can come up with for plants in sunny locations that aren't used to that kind of heat blast (e.g. recent additions, ferns). I previously stuck old umbrellas up in various locations during an ugly stretch like that (which reminds me that I need to check what I have on hand before our time comes around). Best wishes Loree!

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  5. Amazing temperatures!

    I hope that you and your garden survive the up and coming heatwave.

    My garden has only ever seen 86F a few times since we moved here in 2003 and some plants did not like that very much.

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  6. Like other commenters I rig up shade cloth protection for the most vulnerable plants. It does help quite a lot. What is particularly stressful for plants (and humans) is high overnight temperatures--no relief.

    Take care and best wishes!

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  7. These temperatures worry me ! Yes a good watering ,then ,I would throw sheets of newspaper over the plants or shade cloth to keep them cool and prevent them getting scorched. Please take care of yourself , not so much of the "scooting about " please in such hot weather ! :) x

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  8. AnonymousJune 24, 2021

    This is scary stuff. However, you may be better off than others in this predicament because (I think) most agaves and cacti tend to do okay in heat. Still, I know you don't just grow agaves. I'm used to heat, but even so, your upcoming temps would have me scrambling to protect my plants too. When we get that hot, I try to make sure everything is well-mulched to keep the moisture in the soil.

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  9. Even your agaves and cacti will sunburn since they aren't used to this high of a temp. If you can get any shade cloth, definitely get a large roll and cut it into pieces, hold it down with rocks or whatever to keep the wind from blowing it off. Soft black screening, like for doors, works as well. Good luck!

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  10. Well one plus is your overnights are not bad. You should be here in Phoenix where nowadays the nights are over 85º and the plants can not breathe. Ugh! Very sad!

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  11. We had a 110 experience a couple weeks ago. I actually lost only a couple of plants, but lots of sun scald and leaf tip burn . I watered everything a day before and did move a few container plants into the shade.Our c-note event was two days-I think 104 and 110 , with days in the 90's flanking.We have had some 90s here and there so I think some of the plants were hardened off a bit. It's going to be along summer and a long fire season.

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  12. This weather is crazy. We are scheduled for another super hot week. Predicted to be 99F on Wednesday. We don't even get close to that in August as we are so close to the mountains. Too hot to plant anything so will try moving everything into the shade for now. No fun!

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  13. It is shocking to see these temps. I hope your preparations will keep your garden safe. And take care yourself, Loree.

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  14. Had to use google to convert 110F to C.... and my immediate reaction was to swear!. Good luck

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  15. I am so shocked by your weather forecast. In my mind, the PNW has always been cooler than most of the nation in summer. It is scary and sad to think that we and our elected officials ignored the warnings of scientists for the past 50 yrs. and now those warnings are becoming true. I hope you and your garden weather through this latest. We're heading into a heatwave, too, but not as bad as yours. Eek, Mother Earth is showing her muscle.

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  16. That is a horrendous forecast. Be careful if you have to get out in that heat. Heat kills more people than about any weather.

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  17. We recently got through an unseasonable heatwave combined with drought, but nothing like what you have now. It was stressful, and not just for the plants. Sounds like you have a good survival plan for the garden. I hope this horrendous weather passes soon.

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  18. AnonymousJune 25, 2021

    Stay well Loree! I’m worried about a lot of my plants. Still at work at 10:45 but have to get up and water early before the heat comes. Take care of that ankle and stay cool. - Jim N Tabor.

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