Annette, how about coming over to my house. It was 85 in the house with all the doors and windows closed an fans on all day. It cooled off to whopping 79 last night. Needless to say it was nice to go for a swim at 6:00 this morning. At least it was cool for awhile. My plants aren't doing to bad, lots of water.
Sue

Really strange temps and weather. Seattle is suppose to get to 103 degrees today, which is unheard of. If it does happen (hope it doesn't) it will be a record. I hope my 93 yr. old grandmother does okay.
Over here, in Eastern Wa, we are going to be only in the mid to upper 90's. It is strange, because we always are the ones who get the hot temps in summer, not Seattle and the coast.
Yesterday there was a possible tornado 60 miles to the NE of us. They haven't figured out if it was a real tornado or just strong winds. Whatever it was, it did some damage.

Annette, this is sure going to be a change from your nice, cooler temps! I hope your plants don't suffer too much :-( The only thing I could suggest is water. Put a sprinkler on the garden for a couple of hours if things look wilty and keep yourself in the shade! Most of my plants can handle the heat, but certain things do need to be watered twice a day.
Take care and stay cool!
CMK

If at all possible rig up some sort of shade cover during the hottest time of the day. Or set a large pot on the sunny side of a small plant.

I just planted some tomato plants for my fall crop. I drove several pieces of rebar near them and draped an old sheet on it. A friend of mine set up a folding canopy over her veg garden.
I bet y'all are just miserable.

Hugs,

Kathy

Ahhh, light bulb just came on, the bed (no pun intended) I'm most concerned about is on one side of the path where I have the retractable clotheslines, I think it's a good day to strip beds and wash sheets, if this weather keeps up we're going to have the cleanest sheets in town :o).

Annette

Was it only about 7 weeks ago you were reporting temps in the 50s while the rest of us sweltered in drought and triple Fahrenheit digits? It's still hot but we've had rain, which means the humidity is 66% today.

What works for me is deep watering only once or twice a week. Constant sprinkling invites bugs and fungi. Roots will go deeper if they have to reach down for water. Some of the tropical water hogs, like elephant ears and crinums, like a little seeping hose all the time.

I'm not sure what plants you have. Many annuals that last the summer for you are long since gone here, they're just not heat-sturdy. This will be a temporary heat problem for you. Many tender perennials, like snapdragons, will look bad but can be cut back and they'll come right out again after the heat wave if their roots were kept cool with mulch. Some plants go dormant in the heat, to bloom again when it's cooler, like calla lilies and dahlias. My best advice is to check your soil for water needs, water by need early or late and stay inside where it's cooler. Some of your plants might enjoy a little shade sail rigged over them, since they're not used to hottest sun.

It could be worse. Gnats could swarm your face every time you go outside, like here.

Nell

Umbrellas are also good for shading smaller things. I use them when things wilt after transplanting. Lol, it is about the only time the umbrellas get used, since I like the rain.
CMK

Yes, umbrellas, garden umbrellas and sheets draped over clotheslines - that should do it for you during your heat wave, which will hopefully be short. But be warned that even in the shade plants can dry and shrivel, if the air is too hot, specially if they are not hardened off to the heat. In the end, all you can do is offer some protection, water like mad and hope for the best.

Stay inside the house at the time when the heat is worse. Sun strokes are not fun. Mimicking what people in warmer zones do is a good idea - the Spanish still have their siesta, which is a *very good* idea when temperatures go above 110F... No such luck for us in Portugal, though - we get the temps, but not the siesta :-(...

Hang in there
Eduarda

In contrast we in the East (Ontario, Montreal) are experiencing cooler weather and lots of rain. In fact today's rain resembled a monsoon. While this may seem okay for most plants, some are suffering due to high fungal incidences. My shasta daisies are affected and it seems some of my coneflowers and my blue thistle. These plants suddenly just wilt all the way down to the roots.

So why is this happening? I've dug up this information

"Science is investigating the weather pattern over North America and the weather weÂve had during the first part of our summer has a lot to do with something called the North Atlantic Oscillation, a pattern uncovered in the 1920Âs by Sir Gilbert Walker.

The North Atlantic Oscillation is a variance in the location of a large area of strong and stable high pressure. For the past many weeks it has developed over Greenland and the Labrador Sea.

The emergence of the North Atlantic Oscillation has lead to a block in the usual, steady west to east migration of unsettled low pressure across our continent.

Simply, the cool rainy weather is stopped once it gets to the Great Lakes Basin because it cannot get past the big, stable high pressure over the western Atlantic. Not until the high pressure, that has manifested itself further east, relaxes will there be a change in the pattern.

While science continues to study the underlying reasons for the temperament and frequency of the oscillation, we can report that it is easing and more typical summer weather is returning to eastern Canada.

---------------------

It's been so hot here for weeks that DH finally bot a fan yesterday! Couldn't see any end in sight and don't feel like living in the basement to be cool. We had sold our 3 fans a few years ago as never used them. Really helps to get the cooler air into the house at night. Close all windows in the am and open everything up when it cools a bit in the evening. Run the whole house fan to bring cooler air up.

We're watering a lot these days altho some plants aren't getting much and the dog's run is likely going to be brown grass soon. I just move the big sprinkler around so everything gets watered pretty well about every 5 days. Younger plants get hand watered more often. I've also deadheaded a lot of plants earlier than usual. This is the year we're expanding the garden so I'm wondering if that's a good idea if this becomes the norm. Might have to rethink what we plant - maybe I should be planting cacti. *roll eyes*

We have a trip planned soon and hate to leave the garden completely in the hands of Ma Nature as she seems to either be on vacation or on strike as far as the watering goes.

I hear you, Annette.
I've been able to water and nothing more. (except keeping the birdbath topped up)
One of the few times I've seen a heat wilting plant.

Off to walk in the ocean up to my ankles.

Libby..........who's to darn hot

We broke all kinds of records today in the greater Seattle area. It was 106 in the shade on my deck today and here at almost 11:30PM it's still 90. It's been hot and muggy for days and we're all suffering, so I know what you mean. Further, even watering the yard once a day isn't cutting it. The lawn is still dying and I'm losing veggie plants and fighting hard to save my hanging baskets.

I hope it cools off for everyone tomorrow... but our prediction is still sitting at 101. UGH! If we wanted this kind of weather, we'd live in Phoenix.

I am sorry to hear of all your weather difficulties. We had too cool spring then way too hot and now sort of back to normal.

But the earlier weather sure hurt the tomato crop in my garden. They don't set fruit when temps are above 90° and they didn't. At lease we are getting enough rain so I won't complain. We have had the AC going since May.

I think Oregon is having way too high temperatures too.

We have high, high temps and NO rain! Bummer! I don't mind the heat nearly so much if we get some rain to help the plants a bit.

I remember a few years ago, we had several days of temps as high as 112 degrees! It blew the mercury out of the end of the thermometer. I don't remember it ever being so hot.

Do remember that plants will wilt from being over watered, and look just like they are about to die of thirst. Usually they will get watered and watered, in an effort to revive them from the heat wilt; then they will drown.

Shade is the best remedy, along with deep watering and mulch. Mulch is a life saver for plants in the heat.

I know y'all are not used to the heat, and I know you have to be miserable. Do y'all have AC?.

Be careful to take care of yourselves, and be on the watch for signs of heat stroke. There is nothing worth getting yourselves sick.

We have heard that El Nino is on the way back, and we were looking forward to it. It would mean some rain for us. We would be happy about that.

Check out this map. We are down in that "Exceptional" area.

Janie

Here is a link that might be useful: Drought monitor

Please take notes to share about what survives this unusual weather. It will help us all plan for next summer.

Janie's right about overwatering. You will see wilting mid to late afternoon that is a defense response to the heat. Plants revive after sundown when it cools a little. Hydrangeas are the prime example.

Here's a link to Davy's Louisiana blog -- I think he's Jovy here. He tells you from practical experience about overwatering.

Here is a link that might be useful: Davy's Lousiana Garden

Interesting comment about the water, Janie. We have a master gardener on the radio on Saturday mornings here and he has been telling us to water, water, water in this weather. He even said some plants, like our hanging baskets or those in pots might need to be watered twice a day. He's been harping on that for the last couple of weeks. Today he had people calling him and thanking him saying their watering so much had saved their plants and their neighbors who hadn't watered had their plants die. Interesting too as I've been watering my hydrangea daily and it's looking very good. The neighbor lady hasn't and hers wilt. But then I think mine gets more shade than hers.

I don't know anything at all... I just figured the local guy with a gardening show did. shrug

If you have a large bucket or wash tub soak your hanging baskets for several hours. Or put them in the bathtub and soak them. After they are good and wet, I drain the tub, let basket drain for a few minutes and take them out in a wagon.
This way they don't have to be watered every day. Stick a wood spoon to the center to check for moister.
If you have plenty of ice, put a layer of ice cubes on top of each. As the ice melts it will slowly soak in.

Kathy

Here in Chicago are experiencing just the oposite....very cool summer. We are usually really hot and humid but last night it was down to the low 60's. I think I've only ran my central air for about 3 days and that was over a month ago. Seems like it is cloudy and rainy almost every afternoon.

I have been waiting all summer for my zinnia to bloom. They are REALLY missing the hot weather and sun. I have buds finally but they still havent opened.

Morning glory vines are doing fab except again, not even any buds let alone blooms yet.

I never thought I would miss the hot and humid dog days of summer, but it really feels like early June.

My college age daughter is a lifeguard here in the summer and there were many times she went to work only to return home because it was too cool to open the pool....really unheard of around here.

We had an absolutely BRUTAL winter with tons of snow and temps going to -40 below windchill. Whats next?

I really hope that we get a late warm up the stalls off the inivitable arrival of winter.

Hanging baskets and plants in the ground have different needs.

A good rule would be to check your soil, with a wooden stick as Kathy does, or even one of those sophisticated little moisture meters that doesn't cost very much. Sticking a finger deep into the soil works for me.

If the soil is wet, and the plant is wilted, it doesn't need more water. If the soil is dry, water. Simple.

Nell

Kathy, thanks. Nell, that makes very good sense.

Yipee, it's only 72 today, supposed to go down to 57 tonight, finally some relieve from this heat wave, even rain predicted 2 or 3 days this week.
We need it desperately here in BC, forest fires are popping up all over the place. This summer is going to go down in the books as one of the worst if not the worst for forrest fires BC has had.
Even the corn it seems has been hit hard, because of the heat the sugar is turning to starch before it's even picked. On the plus side our tomato crop is looking good and our cherry tomatoes are ready, the last couple of years because of our no summer weather tomatoes were a bust.

Annette

I am so glad things are better. When you are through with the cool weather, will you lend it to me?

Speaking of the BC forest fires. they're thinking of calling in reinforcements from other nations, including the United States and Australia.
Since April, more than 2,000 fires have burned 63,000 hectares (155,700 acres) in BC.

Libby

So sad about the fires. Annette, it's 72 here in the Seattle area today too, so you and I must not live too many hours apart. Some weather forecasts are saying it's going to rain Friday, and then at least three days next week.

Annette, our Nova Scotia fire fighters are there already, stay safe! Martha

Yesterday was a dream for gardening - cloudy and cooler and the first day in about a month I was comfortable outside. Got a lot of deadheading, weeding, and mulching done and last night it rained. Hoping for more rain today and lots in areas with fires.

Australia and New Zealand assistance on the way to help with fires. Many provinces helping as well and we're grateful for all. With all the dead pine so much of this province is just ready to ignite. We need lots of rain desperately and no lightning.

Pretty sure there are some there from Ontario! Are the Mars Water Bombers in action? I love those planes!
{{gwi:717996}}

This gives you an idea of what they are up against!!

Nancy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Map of the Fires

Nancy, one is down in California until December as far as I know and the other is still here on the island undergoing maintenance the last I heard.

60% chance of rain in the forecast for monday and tuesday for the central island but usually this time of year it comes with thunder and lightning.

Annette

Annette, so glad you and our other PNW cottagers (Hi Oceanna!) are getting some relief. I hadn't been paying attention to the news and just heard a few days ago about your heat and fires. Hope those fires are history soon. They're always scary and we know all too well about that kind of scary down here in So.Cal.

Our weather is still cooler than normal. We had a few days of hot weather two weeks ago. Even had to run the a/c, which is rare. But now we've cooled off again and today is really cool. I'm sitting here with a light sweater on. I had to close some of the windows, too. The cherry tomatoes are turning red but the larger varieties are still green. No squash and just a few cucs. Mini pumpkins are setting but the bleepin' ground squirrels got my eggplants. grrr.

On the plus side, we've been getting lots of outdoor projects done thanks to the cool temps. I painted one porch ceiling blue and am on to the other one. Gotta keep those haints away. ; ) Next are the floors and railing. DH took the week off and the pond plumbing is coming along nicely. Liner goes in today. Inside, I'm upholstering a chair and making valances for one of the bathrooms.

But I am missing summer! Guess there's always next week. : )

Diana

Diana, sounds like you've been really busy, as soon as your ponds finished we want pics of it and your garden. I never knew until recently why people painted their porch roofs blue, I've never seen it done up this way.

Because of the extreme summer we're having my garden is fried but still alive, I was prepared for the same ol' same ol' no ripe tomatoes etc., etc., etc. HA! so whether we get a hot summer next year or not I'll be better prepared. The funny thing is we had so much winter damage, lost so much a couple of vines I thought were dead came back late and then put on unbelievable growth.

Since it has cooled off here I hope to get the rest of my bathroom painted, I had to quit it was so hot the paint was drying streaky. If you haven't seen it the saga of the renos we are doing is in conversations, it all started because of a spark LOL. Not fancy by any means but do I ever love my new floors.

Besides the unprecedented hot dry summer we're having the damage done by the pine beetle has turned BC into a tinder box, some of the fires were of course started from people being careless but the majority have been started by lightning strikes. I'm sure some have also been started by broken glass acting like a magnifying glass, so if seen it's a good idea to pick it up and dispose of it safely. There's a couple of fires burning on VI but nothing close to us, fingers crossed. The woods are crispy dry around here so until we have a few good rainfalls it's hold your breath time.

In the link you can see the damage that has been done by the pine beetle, we really need a few really cold winters to knock this little beast down, until this last winter they have been too warm so as much as I whine about them we really need a few more really cold winters.

Annette

Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Beetle damage