Keeping it cool

Here in northeast Ohio, July and August tend to be our most humid and stifling months of the year. Depending on where you are in the country, this is likely a hot time of year for you, too. I was a little hesitant moving into a new place that wasn’t equipped with air conditioning last December (yes, in the height of the snowy season, I was already thinking about the summer heat), fearing that the house would heat up to sauna-like temperatures as the summer days passed, as the house I grew up in did.

So how am I beating the heat this summer? Luckily, it hasn’t been too difficult because my pre-air conditioning century-old home was built well, and when the windows are open, the airflow allows for it to stay cool, no matter what the temperature is outside. Also, there are overhead fans installed in most rooms, further increasing airflow. In addition, I have a beautiful, shady porch, and invested in patio furniture to be able to enjoy the breeze when it was too warm indoors. In sum, a little thought and preparation went a long way, just like it can in your garden center.

This month, our issue is focused on how you can beat the heat, or at least keep it cool. We start out by sharing the results of the Dallas Arboretum’s annual trials, focusing in on their favorite drought-tolerant plants on page 18. Then, for those of you with high August temperatures, there’s an article on protecting both you and your employees from heat-related illness on page 28. If you grow your own plant material, don’t miss our special feature on rainwater collection and its benefits for your business on page 30.

Joseph Pellegrin of Pike Nurseries knows all too well about differences in temperature and sun in various parts of the country, and shares his experiences with teaching customers who aren’t native to the area about the most appropriate plants for the climate in North Carolina on page 36.

Associate editor Michelle Simakis hit the road and visited IGCs in North and South Carolina this past June. Check out her photos and insights into "hot" trends starting on page 38.

Stay cool this summer!

kvarga@gie.net