Charlotte’s “Patio Farmer” Gives Tips For Protecting Your Plants From Heat
Erin Hostetler is Charlotte’s “Patio Farmer”. She recently sat down with WBTV to give Queen City plant parents some tips on how to protect our plants from the scorching summer….
HAYWARDS HEATH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Bryony Phillips examines the plants in the dry, tropical glasshouse at Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, which now holds 10% of the world’s wild plant species, at Wakehurst Place on October 15, 2009 near Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. The 24,200th seed species is a pink, wild banana from China which is an important staple for wild Asian elephants. The seed bank, which aims to collect and store a quarter of the world’s plant species by 2020 to support conservation and safeguard biodiversity. The bank is the largest wild seed bank in the world and holds 3.5 billion seeds from around the world in its vaults, which are kept at minus 20 degrees Celsius, to preserve them for hundreds of years. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesErin Hostetler is Charlotte's "Patio Farmer". She recently sat down with WBTV to give Queen City plant parents some tips on how to protect our plants from the scorching summer.
Erin first spoke on how it is a balance trying to get your plants the right amount of sun and water, but without giving them too much of either.
For edible plants especially, Erin says it is best to water them in the morning or in the evening. It's important they get water when it's cooler out and when they aren't getting as much direct sunlight.
As far as where to water plants, she said it's best to water plants around the base in the soil instead of on top of them.
For plants growing from inside a container, it's best to use the largest pot or container possible, according to the Patio Farmer. This is so that the plant will have enough room to root and hold water. Being able to hold more water ultimately keeps your plants cooler overall.
Because of this, smaller contained plants need the most love and attention, according to Erin.
Herbs, especially Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, oregano, and thyme, prefer drier soil so higher heat is a bit better for them.
Citrus plants are also great for growing in pots, since they don't like cooler weather below 55 degrees. Actually in Charlotte, the Patio Farmer advises that the only way to grow citrus plants is in a pot.
Find out more from the Patio Farmer at her website.
