Kansas City Star: Heat is Damaging Gardens

You're not the only person who sees a tired-looking garden when they gaze through their window. The Kansas City Star gave tips in an article entitled "Is your garden dead? Here's how to try again." Here are those tips and more:

• Don't over-water. Plants can only absorb so much, and too much water will stay in a hot puddle near the roots, damaging them.
• Try heat-tolerant annuals. Varieties include lantana, cleome, marigold, zinnia, vinca, and coleus. Some heat-tolerant annuals prefer more sun than others. The Missouri Botanical Garden notes that coleus, right, prefers part shade to full shade.
• Mulch. The Missouri Botanical Garden states that organic mulches can help retain moisture during the summer and fall droughts.
• Fertilize. One expert recommends fertilizing every fifth watering. But it depends upon the type of plant and fertilizer.