Sun City West garden club hosts heat, plant workshop

The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosted a workshop April 23 at the R.H. Johnson Social Hall West and invited all RCSCW card holders to attend.

Approximately 210 were in attendance for the topic “Helping Your Plants Survive If Another Extreme Heat Summer Occurs.” Presenter Ben McGonigle, certified arborist and owner of Design Tree Maintenance, explained how extreme heat slows and damages the growth of plant roots, decreases the ability of the plants to make food and breathe and increases the water stress on the plant by the loss of water vapor through its leaves.

He explained how asphalt, rocks, stucco fences, etc. increase temperatures; how consistent watering schedules are beneficial; the reasons to water at the base at the drip line; and if feasible, to spray plants off after dusk to cool the plants. McGonigle stayed after the presentation to answer many questions.