So, I bet you didn’t know that we now have an extra season? Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer… Fire Season. Every year are noticing an increasing number of wildfires throughout California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We see the effects of the smoke all around us here in the San Joaquin and Central Valley, but some may wonder how fire season affects our gardens as well as our health?

Tending to our health while gardening during smoke season

First, we need to consider our personal health and safety. Breathing too much smoke isn’t good for anyone, but some people are more sensitive to wildfire smoke than others. It’s said that a negative air quality can be as bad as smoking several packs of cigarettes. Smoke is made up of gases and fine particles. Fine particles are the biggest threat as they can penetrate deep into our lungs and cause a range of health issues.

How can you tell if the smoke is affecting you? Pay attention to your body and if you’re experiencing a runny nose, burning eyes, coughing, or difficulty breathing it might be a sign that you should take a break from exposure. If you already have heart or lung issues your increased symptoms are a clear warning sign to step up the precautions and take care of yourself.

How?

• Mask up – We are all a little over masks but wearing a mask for the time that you’re working in your garden or spending time outside can decrease your exposure and reduce the negative effects. N-95 or P-100 masks are usually recommended for smoke.
• Watch air quality – Keep an eye on your local air quality and plan your time outdoors in your garden when the risk is at least lower than usual. If you notice your symptoms getting worse take a break. Know your personal risk level and be mindful of your health.
• Work on your indoor garden – If you need to spend some more time inside you can use this time to tend to your “indoor garden” or create one!
• Reduce indoor pollution – Reduce frying and boiling foods as this can add to indoor pollution levels. You can also buy an air cleaner to reduce particle levels in your home. Plants are also a great way to clean your air. Here are some ideas: http://luisnursery.com/the-best-houseplants-for-cleaner-air/

Tending to the health of your garden during smoke season

Our gardens are also affected by the smoky air. Plants deal much better with the excess carbon and help filter the air, but many of us notice the effects on plants that just don’t seem to grow! One plant that we notice affected is the zucchini. Have you noticed your zucchini starting out ok but then never developing? This is due to insufficient pollination. Bees don’t like the smoke either and return to the safety of their hives. Excessive heat and smoke create havoc for bees, and they are just too busy caring for their hives to pollinate. This also affects our tomatoes and peppers. How can we help our zucchini out?

One interesting tip is to take a little watercolor brush and dip it into the male flower (the one without the swelling at the base), wiggle it around to collect pollen and then put that pollen into the female flower (with the swelling) with a little shake. You have now helped both the bees and your squash.

Wildfire disasters are out of our hands, but we can do our part to care for the needs of our garden and our health. In our next blog we will discuss a few more tips for protecting your garden during smoke season.

As you’re taking care of your health and limiting your exposure to the smoke, we wanted to remind you that: We deliver! We can deliver, plants, soil, bark, and rock material. Please give us a call. For quotes on your delivery. We deliver 7 days a week, weekends fill up quickly and we recommend calling in advance to guarantee weekend delivery.