FIMBY: Does this plant need water?

Here's another installment in our Food in My Back Yard series on growing edible plants.

During triple-digit weather, it’s easy to get dehydrated. That goes for gardeners as well as gardens.

We know when we’re thirsty and feel ready to wilt. But how do you react to wilting leaves?

It depends on the time of day. In the afternoon, grab a soil probe, trowel or moisture meter. In the morning, grab a hose.

Some plants wilt normally in summer heat; it’s their defense against high temperatures. This is especially true of large-leafed vegetables (think zucchini) or heirloom tomatoes (especially varieties of Russian origin). If those same plants are still wilted the next morning, then it’s an indicator of more than a warm afternoon.

Before irrigating, check the soil around the plant. Use a moisture meter, soil probe or trowel to dig down about 6 inches and actually look at the soil. Is it moist or dry as dust? Or worse, a 6-inch soil probe or long-handled screwdriver won’t penetrate.

If the soil is dry or hard, deep-water the plant. Sensitive little feeder roots in the top few inches of soil need consistent moisture. If the soil looks dry 2 or 3 inches below the surface, give the plant some water immediately, then see how it reacts.

A droopy plant also can indicate too much water. (That’s why you check the soil moisture.) You may have an irrigation issue. Figure out where the excess water is coming from and remedy the problem. The plant should recover once the soil has a chance to dry out to normal.

(Remember: Drip irrigation needs regular check-ups. Don’t assume it’s working properly; check the soil around plants. Tubing can split and emitters can become clogged.)

Once soil moisture is stabilized, maintain it with mulch. Use organic mulch such as wood chips, shredded bark, dried leaves or straw; this slowly adds some nutrients to the soil while also blanketing the ground. Mulch should be 3 to 4 inches deep, but don’t mound it around plants. (That can promote fungal issues.) Keep a little 4-inch circle free from mulch around plant’s main stems.

Like people, plants also can appreciate some afternoon shade. Yes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other summer favorites prefer “full sun.” But too much sun can lead to sun scald and sunburned leaves.

In addition, a little temporary shade will help a dried-out plant recover faster.

Temporary shade can be simple and creative; use what you have on hand. Keeping a cache of clothes pins or binder clips among the garden supplies can help. Some ideas:

* An open umbrella;

* Shade cloth stretched between two stakes;

* Burlap atop a tomato cage; or

* Plastic plant flats (those with an open grid), propped up on stakes, cages or trellises.

Avoid draping the shade cloth or burlap directly on the plant; that just adds to stress. If a plant develops sunburned leaves, keep that foliage on the plant; it will help protect developing fruit, other leaves and the plant’s stems from more sunburn. Once temperatures have cooled, trim off the dead leaves so new foliage can grow.

Also, don’t feed plants during triple-digit heat or plants showing wilt. Extra nutrients can add to stress, too, if there’s not sufficient moisture in the soil.

(The exception: Adding liquid concentrate booster such as SuperThrive to that first emergency water treatment can speed recovery for plant’s that dried out badly.)