How to keep your plants and grass alive during a heat wave

RAYTOWN, Missouri - Ideal Nursery owner Victor Torparker and his wife Kelly each spend two hours a day watering their plants. They're exhausted when they're done but say it's the only way to keep their nursery thriving.
 

During a heat wave like the one we are experiencing in the midwest, your plants and lawn might look distressed but it doesn't mean you have to give up on them right away.

Torparker says many gardens are suffering from dehydration and bug infestations right now. Worms are chewing through plant leaves and eating flowers. Grub worms are eating the roots of grass and causing it to turn brown. If you don't take care of a grub worm problem immediately, they call wipe out an entire yard in weeks or even days.

If your garden is suffering from the heat, here's what gardening experts recommend:

Water plants twice a day.
Move hanging plants or potted plants to the shade.
Give trees and shrubs a good soaking at least once a week. Make sure you soak the root system all the way down to the bottom.
Don't pull out crab grass (the type that takes over your lawn). Treat it with a product recommended by a garden expert.
If you are unsure what type of fungus or insect is attacking your plant, take a sample into your nursery for advice.
Torparker says it's a tough summer to learn how to garden but if you give your garden the time it needs, you can nip any problem in the bud.
Keep your grass about two to three inches long so it shades the roots.
Water your lawn a couple of times a week so the water soaks 1 to 1.5 inches into the ground.
Water early in the morning.