It’s no secret that heat waves are becoming more common around the globe. Summer 2022 saw fires throughout Europe (including London), Asia, and around North America, to name a few. In July 2022, several European countries experienced highs that were 20 degrees hotter than historical averages, while dangerous levels of heat were predicted throughout the Southern and Southwestern United States. 

According to NASA, 19 of the hottest years on record have hit since the year 2000, and 2020 tied the record for the hottest year since 1880, when tracking began. The latest data on annual averages shows that temperatures rose 1.53 degrees Fahrenheit in 2021 alone.

Thousands of studies have shown that temperatures at the Earth’s surface are on the rise, according to the U.S. Global Change Research Program. In fact, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones are shifting north at a rate of 13 miles per decade. Temps are especially intense in major cities and hot spells are lasting much longer than they once did. These periods of extreme, suffocating heat have severe consequences for both people and the environment—including your garden. Here’s how to help your garden survive a stretch of ultra-hot weather.

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