I’ve lived in a humid climate my entire life, so I know what it’s like to control excess moisture in the garden. To put it as briefly as possible, it’s not fun. Not only is it difficult to enjoy the gardening process when the air outside is humid, but it is also Excess moisture and diseases are difficult to control. that comes with it.
I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My garden looks like a tropical paradise and the high humidity makes it very easy to grow my favorite plants. The orchids are always happy, I have several fruit trees that almost take care of themselves and the foliage plants grow incredibly fast in hot weather.
there is Benefits and harms of air humidityBut what counts is what you do with it. So if you’re in the same boat, here are the lessons I’ve learned to make the most of it.
How humidity affects plants
Temperature is often the top concern among gardeners when it comes to climate and weather. But humidity also has an impact on plant health and the activities that take place in your garden throughout the season.
Some plants like a lot of humidity in the air. This affects perspiration and water loss, Preserve leaf moisture and promote growth.High humidity has the opposite effect on plants that have adapted to dry climates. It affects gas exchange in these species, slowing photosynthesis. Slower photosynthesis leads to Slow growth and overall poor performance,
Most plants are happiest in a moderate humidity range, around 40% to 60%. High humidity is usually around 70%, while low humidity is 30% or less.
The good, the bad and the ugly
High humidity has a big impact on your garden. Some consequences are good, but many are bad or even dangerous for certain species.
The advantage of living in an environment with high humidity is that you can grow many different plants. If you want to start a business, succulent, Tropical JUNGLE In your backyard, you’ll have no problem keeping your plants happy. Higher humidity is also usually better for plant growth than excessively low humidity.
However, it is important Consider humidity levels along with temperature.Excessive humidity and high temperatures create a difficult environment for plants to thrive. If heat and humidity are common in your area, you may want to be careful about which plants you choose.
The biggest drawback is that it increases the risk of disease. Fungal germs thrive in moist environments. and spreads quickly if not controlled in time. While some fungal diseases may not seem harmful at first, many of these fungal diseases can destroy plants and become an ongoing problem throughout your garden.
How to Garden in a Humid Climate
The unfortunate reality is that we can’t change the weather, but there are ways to manage humidity conditions on a farm.
Manage your land
Gardening in high humidity conditions begins by thinking about the foundation of the garden: the soil. You might think that humidity only affects the humidity of the air, but it also has an effect on the humidity of the soil.
When the air is dry and the temperature is high, moisture evaporates quickly from the soil. When there is already a lot of moisture in the air and it is close to saturation, the moisture evaporates from the ground. Less moisture evaporates from the soil over time.In other words, More moisture in the air also means that the soil retains moisture a little longer. More than you would expect.
It is important to note this additional moisture retention capacity. Check your drainageMoisture doesn’t have as much of an impact as other soil characteristics, but if your soil already has more moisture than you’d like, muggy air will only exacerbate the problem.
Manage your soil by checking drainage regularly and improving areas where water accumulates over time, especially during wet weather. Or choose species that grow best in clay soils that retain moisture to avoid root rot problems in sensitive plants.
Choose the right species
Once you have the right soil, think carefully about what you are going to plant in it. We all want to grow our favorite crops and ornamental plants no matter the conditions, but rather than constantly dealing with growing problems, it is much better to limit ourselves to garden species that prefer high humidity.
In the flower garden there is a long list of options. I have never had a problem with tropical beauties like sage, zinnia or hibiscus in my garden. I also have some orchids hanging from flowering trees. Air humidity causes regular flowering.Other great options are:
- coniferous
- Verbena
- a type of grass
- lantana
- Universe
in the edible garden, The options are a bit limited.One of the most recommended vegetables for humid climates are tomatoes, but I have to go against the crowd and say that I have endless problems in my garden.
Tomato More susceptible to a long list of diseases In humid climates, the work increases and the danger to other plants also increases. They have no problem with humidity, but Get ready to fight diseases. throughout the season.
Many tomato relatives also grow well in humid climates and don’t mind heat, such as peppers and eggplants. Sweet potatoes and beans are also safe options. If you like growing fruits, these tropical loving tree The ideals are:
Pay close attention to spacing
Fungal diseases are one of the biggest concerns in gardens with high humidity. It is always important to practice disease prevention strategies, but even more so when humidity is present. This starts with paying close attention to planting time intervals. Avoid crowds,
The lack of airflow due to overcrowding, combined with excess moisture in the air, creates the ideal environment for fungal diseases to thrive. When there is less air movement, humid conditions also occur, further exacerbating the lack of airflow.
When sowing or transplanting seeds, always Give your crops enough room to grow No overlaps. A little extra space goes a long way.
Prune regularly
If you have plants planted too close together, frequent pruning will correct the situation. Pruning is also a good solution for species that have dense leaf growth that can restrict air flow between the stems. improve air flow around the plantDue to which the chances of fungal diseases are reduced.
Before you start pruning, Clean and disinfect your garden toolsIf you notice any signs of disease while pruning, disinfect your shears between cuts to prevent the problem from spreading to healthy neighboring shrubs or trees. It is not necessary to make large cuts; Just remove dense areas to give the plant some room to breathe.
water in the morning
Water droplets that remain on leaves or flowers for a long time greatly increase the risk of diseases in the garden. That’s why you often hear the advice that Never add water from above AND water in the morningThis is always good practice, but in humid climates it becomes essential.
Watering in the morning gives water droplets time to evaporate throughout the day. Watering in the afternoon (or worse, at night) when the evaporation rate is already slow will leave excess moisture around the leaves and stems, causing a long list of problems.
Watering in the morning is also better for plant health. Make sure the roots have adequate moisture. To keep the plant happy and less stressed in sunny and warm conditions.
Track illnesses
Even if you adopt these prevention strategies, there is still a risk of disease in the garden. Gardeners in high humidity areas should be especially vigilant, periodically checking for signs of disease and treating them as soon as possible. Many diseases cannot be cured once they have appeared, so Management and prevention They are essential for a healthy garden.
Several fungal diseases spread in humid areas. These include Mold, MoldAND frostSymptoms of infection vary depending on the specific pathogen, but issues such as spotted leaves, Blocked DevelopmentEITHER Visible fungal growth These are all reasons for concern.
As soon as you notice a problem, remove and discard any affected leaves, fruits or stems. Do not compost any diseased material.Because this will spread the problem. After pruning, apply a treatment if necessary depending on the disease you are dealing with and monitor your crops closely for signs of spread.
Early harvest
Due to the high risk of disease, one way to protect your crops in edible gardens is to harvest early. This may mean plucking ripe fruits from the plant It should be ripened indoors as soon as possible or any crop should be harvested and stored somewhere safe once it is ready.
Leaving fruits out puts them at risk of mold before you can pick them and enjoy them. Be careful and harvest them as soon as possible.
key takeaways
Gardening in a humid climate has its drawbacks, but there are ways to manage them and ensure your garden continues to thrive. It also provides the opportunity to grow many plants that are happier with more moisture in the air.
The most important thing is that Watch for signs of illness AND Choose your plants carefullyAside from this, keep an eye on the temperature and pay special attention to your plants when the scorching heat and humid winds are at their highest.
