Ways to garden in the heat...one I like the best is pace yourself and take some time and breaks. See what else you can do to garden in this heat.

image from dengarden.com 

      GOOD noon DAY.  I just came in from working in the greenhouse area this morning.  I was out there at 7:45 AM and it was very nice out.  Humidity hasn’t come in yet; sun was out but then clouds moved in.  Rain is in the area, but we aren’t getting any.  Very comfortable out.  I know that is going to change.  I spend the morning watering the fruit trees, flower containers, large trees and wagons.  I am down to 4 and almost have that 4th one composted or unplanted.  I am saving back plants that I still want to pot into containers to see how they do. I am learning lots of what looks good, and what plants are not so much.  A lot of the success of these pot containers for annual planting is the water.  Not enough or too much will make a difference in them growing.  I will share that information with you.  I need to talk to Jen, our professional photographer, on how to take the pictures of the potted containers to give you the best picture.  High today is the seasonal temperature of 82F(28C).  It sounds like it is going to change starting Friday through Monday.  Again hot, and humid.  I found this article on how to garden in extreme heat.  What I liked was the advice, slow down and pace yourself.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends starting their Friday August 15th with a low temperature of 39F(3C),cloudy conditions, continuing through the morning with 80% chance of rain. High today for them is supposed to be 62F(16C). Stay warm, stay safe.
 
I liked this advice especially the “part slow down and pace yourself” as you can’t work as hard as you do in the spring.  Be safe in this heat and humidity. 
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Stay Safe: Tips for Gardening in Extreme Heat
Written By:  Robin Sweetser
If you like to garden, be careful in extreme heat. Here are seven sensible tips to keep in mind during hot and humid weather. Whether you like it hot or not, it is important to be aware and take care while working outside.
Gardening in the Heat
I like hot summers, but I know that my opinion is in the minority when I hear my fellow gardeners complaining about the heat and humidity. Here’s how to cope with the heat when you’re in the garden:
Do your heaviest work early in the morning, as early in the day in possible, or in the evening. It’s good for both you and the plants. Take a cue from South American and Mediterranean countries where it is siesta time from 11 to 2 in the afternoon. Sit in the shade, relax and enjoy your garden, listen to the birds and watch the butterflies. The weeds will still be there waiting for you once the day cools down.
Slow down and pace yourself. Take frequent breaks. It’s okay if you can’t get as much done during a hot, muggy day as you can on a cooler day!
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of cool water before, during and after working outside. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. And no alcohol. It just dehydrates you. Get in the habit of bring a water bottle with you if needed. Drink in small sips to avoid getting waterlogged. If you’re feeling dehydrated, consider a sports beverage which will place the salt you’re sweating out.
Don’t forget the sunscreen! Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. (I apply when I get up in the morning as part of my routine.) You may have to reapply it after sweating.
Wear a hat. A proper sun hat shades not only your face but your ears and neck as well. Wear light-colored clothes to reflect sunshine, too.
Tie a wet bandanna around your neck or even drape a wet cotton dish towel over the nape of your neck. If you have considered buying one of the fancy cooling towels, save your money. Consumer Reports tested several along with an ordinary kitchen towel (smooth, not terry cloth) and found that they only varied by about 2 degrees. Better yet, pop the wet bandanna or towel into the fridge or freezer for a while.
Go inside if you feel yourself getting overheated or breathing too heavily. Take a cool shower or spray yourself with the garden hose!
Summer Bummer
If, like me, you don’t know when to quit, one rule of thumb is to add the temperature and humidity figures together.
How to Cool Your Body Down
If the answer is over 160, it is time to head inside. Heat-related deaths outnumber those from natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and earthquakes combined.
There are three levels of heat sickness that can quickly affect a hard-working gardener on a hot day.
Heat Stress can cause muscle cramps and fatigue. Your body is telling you it has had enough. Time to head to a shady cool location and drink some water. You can also try a sports drink to replace lost electrolytes and minerals. Ignoring the symptoms leads to heat exhaustion.
Heat Exhaustion adds headache, nausea, and dizziness to the cramps and fatigue. Heavy sweating and  pale or flushed skin are also signs that your body is heading toward trouble. Ignoring these symptoms can quickly lead to heat stroke.
Heat Stroke can be fatal! If you stop sweating, are vomiting, have a body temperature of 104, have a racing heart beat and rapid, shallow breathing, cool down immediately and seek medical help. Cool off in front of a fan or AC or take a cool shower or bath and drink water until help arrives. Cool down gradually. Don’t pour ice cold water on your head or you could go into shock. Untreated heat stroke will lead to unconsciousness and can damage your heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles.
Hot weather is tough on plants and people, too. You can’t take care of your garden if you don’t take care of yourself so when the thermometer starts to sizzle, head inside during the hottest part of the day.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/tips-gardening-extreme-heat
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty, Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse