Wow! That was some storm this past Friday evening!  Here at Bob's HQ in Mason, WV we are running diesel backup generators, gasoline generators, and lots of batteries.  Right now we have limited phone and internet access. (I'm actually writing this from home where I am lucky enough to have power and internet access.)  The greenhouses survived the winds unscathed and hopefully our supply of water holds out.  As we try to go about business as usual, I am left worrying about you and your garden.
 


Here are some tips to help you and your garden through this power outage, heat wave, and possible water shortage:

• Move plants in hanging baskets and containers to a shady area to protect them from the heat.  This will slow evaporation.
• Fill a saucer with gravel and water to set your pots on.  As the water evaporates it will help cool your plants.
• Stockpile water for your containers and baskets in the event of a water shortage, and ration water if necessary.  
• Mulch to help retain moisture.
• Eventually you may need to trim some plants back to further limit water usage, or sacrifice some plants if needed.