I could always talk about the weather.

Trust me, it’s been quite the topic of conversations in my circles. It just saps you dry some days. And when you walk out and you can feel the heated air kinda pushing back at you? Like when you open the oven door? Whew! Mercy, I just want to give it all up. Or I see plants almost laying flat because they are so dry? Makes me a bit envious of those that worship the lawn. Lawn is so much simpler. My Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ was gasping by the time I finally turned on the water at home. Last Friday when it looked like there was at least hope for rain? I set up a sprinkler in my front garden to try to lure the rain in. I got a little. Think I’ll try that again this week.

Yes it is hot. But it was 106 in Nashville this week. Could be worse. Yes, it is dry. But at least it’s only been 6 weeks or so. And we had all that moisture in the “bank” from the wet spring. Could be worse.

We have been working hard to keep the plants hydrated so they remain beautiful and healthy. Well, at least healthy. Some plants no matter what you do eventually begin to suffer when a weather onslaught lasts this long. But I have to say things look really good so if you don’t like what you see at home come on over for a visit. You can always find a shady spot to rest.

If you have evergreens especially keep some water on them. Remember all the dead ones after last year’s heat and drought? Add a second year of that and we are going to start seeing major damage. I would never suggest you water the lawn but spend a few dollars on some water to save the trees in your yard. And if you planted anything this spring or last fall give them some extra TLC. We are fortunate to have our own wells here at the IMA. Not that we are attempting to replace all the missing rain with irrigation but we can usually save things that get in peril – usually. And, you know? That’s the best we can do sometimes. If we lose a few plants it’ll still be alright. We are gardeners. We accept some losses and then get all excited about choosing the replacements. Weather be damned, we will go on gardening.

You know. Let’s turn this ole weather negative into something positive. Everybody get up. C’mon, get up. Now get outside and turn the sprinkler on in – or near – your favorite spot in your garden. Here’s the tricky part. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t be shy. You are hot. You are sweaty. You, yes you, you are a wild and free child of nature. Get yourself into that water. And shake some booty. It’s a heatwave and you are too hot to handle!!!

I love it when you hear people from the dessert southwest say “Yeah, it was a 108 today, but it’s a dry heat”.  Dry heat my foot. At a 108 you can damn near start baking cookies. I just don’t think I’m a dry heat person or even a low humidity person anyway no matter how much I complain. I remember going to the Denver area for PPA a few years back. While there I didn’t notice the difference in climate and vegetation being all that dramatic. But on the way home? My lands! The farther east we traveled the more green and lush the world became. I could almost feel my skin becoming elastic again as it absorbed moisture right out of the air. So it puts me in quite a perplexing situation what with wanting heat but hating heat, wanting humidity but hating humidity, wanting to eat right but hating anything not made with butter, brown sugar, and salt. Ooops. That last one really has little to do with horticulture.

So what does one do when summer truly arrives? Well, we horticulturists and gardeners eventually take it all in stride and settle on a battle plan. Regardless of the actual temperature some sunscreen is a pretty good idea. I have a hard time remembering to put it on let alone reapply in two hours. Even the greaseless formulas make me feel sweaty already at 7:30 in the morning, a feeling that, believe it or not, is not the least bit pleasurable. But that’s the way it is. I was listening to Fresh Air yesterday and the guest said we need at least a teaspoon just to do the face and neck. If I’m like most people (I know, not likely) then we are way under applying. So now I will put it on thicker ‘cause I dread the thought of ending up with little chunks cut out of my nose or jagged pieces of my ears missing. Now isn’t that a pretty picture?

Sunglasses are essential anymore. When I finally bought my prescription Ray-Bans my eyes practically moaned in ecstasy. I swear I forget I even have them on. I try to remind myself to remove them when talking to visitors. I do not wear them at night. Nor would I wear them to indoor events the way so many idiotic celebrities do. It is unacceptable to wear sunglasses while presenting or accepting at the Oscars, Tonys, GRAMMYs, etc. All of you stop immediately.

A wide brimmed hat is handy for shading the eyes and face. Just ask Scarlett O’Hara. It’s not as good as an oak tree but unlike an oak tree it can move with you.

Water, for me, is like the sun block. I don’t think about it. Don’t get me wrong. Anybody that knows me knows I drink pretty much nothing but water. But I don’t carry a bottle out into the gardens often. When I do it usually comes back to the office full or nearly so. When it gets really hot, close to mid-90’s, then I will consciously drink more water making sure every half hour or so I take the time to open the bottle.

I can’t say enough about the relief of working in the shade in hot weather. Weeds abound in the shade same as in the sun, plants in the shade need mulch too, and since every garden looks better with a good edge, there is never a shortage of work needed in the shaded areas of the gardens. In the summer months shade work is saved for the afternoons when the sun is at its meanest.

And if the areas that need the most attention are in the sun – well, fiddle-dee-dee, that’s life. As God as my witness, I’ll never go without sunscreen again.