Beating the Heat: Managing Sun Exposure and Shade in Your Backyard

Dec 31

As the summer approaches, who doesn’t want to spend more time in the shade in our backyards? Add to that frequent swims, cold drinks, and beach visits, and it’s a perfect recipe to cool off during the hot months. But, managing sun exposure in your backyard goes beyond your own comfort. You also have to keep your precious plants, veggies, and flower beds alive. That means knowing how to keep the soil moist in summer is necessary.

The good news is that there are a few easy ways to manage shade and maintain soil moisture during the scorching summer season. Of course, watering your garden twice a day can help. However, that may not be enough to ensure sufficient soil moisture during the warmer months. Most of your plants and veggies will likely need more care to prevent them from dehydrating and dying. Let’s see how this can help you maintain soil moisture and keep your green friends blooming.

#1. Understand the Effects of Excessive Sun Exposure on Plants

Most people don’t know this, but excessive sun exposure can have significant effects on plants. For starters, scorching heat makes it difficult to maintain soil moisture, which plants need to survive. It can also lead to several other issues such as:

Dehydration

Intense sunlight can cause quick loss of moisture from plant leaves and soil in the summer. It can result in severe dehydration if you don’t water your plants regularly. Dehydrated plants may develop wilted, crispy, or yellowing leaves. Worse still, prolonged dehydration can weaken the plant, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and overall poor health.

Sunburn

You read it right. Like humans, plants can also experience sunburn when exposed to intense sunlight for prolonged periods. In plants, sunburn leads to the browning or bleaching of leaves, often accompanied by wilting or scorching. It can inhibit photosynthesis and prevent the plant from producing energy, leading to stunted growth or even death.

Reduced Growth and Flowering

Excessive sun exposure can impede plant growth and flowering. Intense sunlight can cause heat stress to plants, reducing their ability to carry out vital metabolic processes. This can result in stunted growth, smaller flowers, and stop the flowering process altogether.

#2. Create Shade in Your Backyard

Apart from maintaining enough soil moisture in summer, providing shade can help mitigate the adverse effects of excessive sun exposure. This is a must during the hottest parts of the day. But before you go ahead, you will first need to determine the sun patterns in your backyard.

Determining the Sun Patterns in Your Backyard

The first step is determining the sunlight patterns in your backyard. It can help you optimize garden layouts, create outdoor seating areas, and get necessary items from your landscape material supplier.

Start by making a map of your property or garden.
Next, draw all the general shadow areas on your map.
Repeat this process at least four times throughout the day. The best time slots are 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.

Leverage Natural Shade Options

Before installing canopies, try using natural shade options in your garden. Here are a few ways to do this.

Plant trees strategically in your garden to provide ample shade to small plants and veggies. Trees also help maintain soil moisture.
Along with trees, plant shrubs and bushes to create additional shade and look beautiful next to your garden.
Install trellises or pergolas in your garden and grow climbers like vines, creepers, or flowering climbers. They are an excellent option for natural shade.
Similarly, arbors and archways covered with climbers can provide shade.
Plant dense hedges to create natural barriers in your garden.

Talk to your landscape material supplier to see which options work best for your garden layout.

Install Artificial Shade Options

Another way to create a comfortable space for your family and plants is to install artificial shade options. Here’re a few options you can try in your garden.

Sliding Wire Canopy
Patio Awnings
Outdoor Canvas Shade
Folding Canopy
White Pergola Shade
Drop Cloth Shade

Select the artificial shade option that best suits your needs and garden design. Don’t forget to consider factors such as size, style, material, and functionality. Measure the dimensions of the area where you want to install the shade option and plan everything accordingly.

Maintaining Optimal Soil Moisture in Summer Is Equally Critical

The best way to stop your plants from dehydrating is to maintain soil moisture. To avoid the water evaporating, water the plants either early in the morning or early evening. It will make sure the water reaches the roots. But avoid overwatering your plants. Overwatering can lead to root rot and oxygen deprivation.

That’s where automated irrigation comes in. But you will need to plan the irrigation system layout. It’s best to speak with your landscape material supplier.

You may also need to reconsider your landscaping layout. It can help you arrange your plants depending on the shade and optimize your watering system.

Call Your Trusted Landscape Material Supplier

Your backyard garden can be the perfect hangout spot during the hot summers. You can sip iced tea under the tree in your backyard or even take a nap. But your plants, flower beds, and veggies are going to need extra care during the scorching heat. With these easy-to-implement tips, you can keep your green friends happy, healthy, and thriving even in the summer.

But to make that happen, you need a perfectly designed backyard. That’s where a landscape material supplier like Pioneer comes in. Get in touch with us to learn more today!

Carli Holas