The recent heat wave that swept across much of the country is a good reminder to take extra care of our plants and ourselves as temperatures climb. Extreme temperatures can take their toll even on plants normally suited to the growing conditions. Many plants suffer when short- or long-term temperatures exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheir. You will see withering, leaf and flower drop, stunting and more on heat stressed plants.

Make the most of every square inch of garden space and containers with succession planting. As you harvest your first crop of the season, consider replanting the space with a vegetable that will mature and can be harvested before the end of the growing season. Start by calculating the number of frost-free days remaining in your growing season. Next, review the plant tags and seed packets for the number of days from planting to harvest.

Sunflowers are one of those happy plants many gardeners can’t resist planting. Kids love to watch the plants reach for the sky, and everyone enjoys all the visitors. You are likely to see hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators on the flowers, songbirds munching on the seeds, and squirrels practicing acrobatic contortions as they try to gain their fair share of the harvest. What we call the “flower” is made of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers.

Adding new life to your landscape can seem overwhelming. Tackling small achievable upgrades in a weekend can get the momentum started and make a big difference in the overall curb appeal. Start with your door. Painting or staining the door can add new life to a tired entrance. Look at your home’s style, siding and trim to guide you in the process. Select a durable paint or stain suitable for this purpose.

Nothing beats the flavor of fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes. Keep them close at hand by growing one or more in containers on your patio, balcony, or front steps. Any tomato can be grown in a pot, but determinate varieties are shorter and more compact, making them a bit easier to manage in a container. They produce fruit in a relatively short period of time, making them great choices for preserving as well as using fresh.

Trees provide many benefits to the environment and our health and well-being. These long-lived members of our landscapes and communities provide shade, help reduce energy costs, clean the air we breathe, prevent soil erosion and stormwater runoff, and attract and provide homes for birds and pollinators.