Gardeners in the Novosibirsk region are struggling to protect their plants from a combination of extreme heat and erratic weather, including thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain. A recent heat wave with temperatures reaching +34 degrees Celsius is threatening crops.

The “West Siberian UGMS” forecasts that the hottest days will be June 18 and 19, with average daily temperatures exceeding the climatic norm by 6-7 degrees. While a slight cooling is expected after June 21, significant relief will only arrive after June 25, requiring gardeners to maintain their efforts for at least another week.

Gardeners are sharing their strategies for mitigating heat damage. These include shading greenhouses with materials like agril or green netting, especially on the sunny sides for plants like cucumbers and young roses. Regular watering in the morning or evening is considered essential.

Additional tips from experienced gardeners include thorough weeding to reduce competition for water and implementing drip irrigation systems, which can be made from simple materials like plastic bottles, foil, and bandages. Mulching beds is also a widely used technique to retain moisture.

Agronomist Lyudmila Shubina recommends watering tomatoes and cucumbers generously, using 7-10 liters of water per plant at least twice a week, or implementing drip irrigation. If frequent watering isn’t possible, she advises loosening the soil and mulching. Shubina also suggests gradually reducing cucumber watering to once a week to encourage a deeper, more resilient root system.

In open gardens, continued weekly watering is advised for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, while cucumbers and cabbage require more frequent watering. For crops like carrots, potatoes, and onions, a single thorough watering should be sufficient. Gardeners are advised to monitor plant conditions and adjust watering accordingly.