| We have 4 Star Jasmine on our backyard fence. The weather has been very hot the past couple weeks...above the 100's. The plants receive the afternoon sun. They are no longer blooming (it's July) and the leaves are turning brown. I water every evening when the sun goes down. Do I need to water more with these high temp's? |
| I think it is a normal reaction for gardeners to want to water their plants more frequently when temperatures are high, but the truth of the matter is that plants tend to stop growing when temperatures reach upwards of 90 degrees. Because they're not actively growing, they use less water. This isn't to say that you shouldn't water your plants, but that you should water deeply and infrequently, even in scorching temperatures. The browning leaves could be a response to the higher temperatures, or they could indicate an over-saturated soil condition. To check soil moisture, water your jasmines deeply, then wait a few days and dig a hole near the roots of the plant; if the soil is still moist 3 inches below the soil surface, you won't need to water for a few more days; if the soil is dry 3 inches below the surface, it's time to water. If the soil is soggy wet, the drainage is poor and you may need to address this issue by installing a curtain drain. Don't expect your jasmines to flower again until temperatures cool down a bit. Best wishes with your landscape! |
