LINTNER: It’s not the heat ... yes, it is!

Wow! What a weekend for the Lintners. A fantabulous block party, hosted by Steve and Gayle Norris, kicked things off with a big bang. Lots of great food and even better people. Georgia Whiteford helped keep the crowd entertained with fun singalongs while some of the local manly types displayed their basketball prowess.

On Sunday, Larry and I had the privilege of joining the First Christian Church’s Praise Team for its morning service, and we were the warmup act that evening for Sound Advice, a wonderful gospel quartet from Topeka. Monday morning meant back to work. It also meant a new and underwhelming change in the weather.

In case you’ve stayed indoors all week, it’s hot. I mean it’s really stinkin’ hot, with humidity and everything. Every time I open the door, my deodorant melts into my shoes, my eyeballs dry out, and I can hear tiny plant voices pleading for a drink. It’s hot.

If you’d like your garden to survive a typical Kansas summer, there are a few handy hints you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, become a night owl. Early morning and late evening hours are the best times to do your yard work. Once the sun is overhead, your efforts go to waste and you run the risk of baking your brain.

Think thorough rather than frequent. A good, deep watering twice a week is better than a daily sprinkle. Serious soakings encourage roots to grow deeper, making for a stronger, more hydrated plant.

Use mulch, but make sure it’s the right kind. In this case, fresh isn’t fine. Use composted mixtures, because things like fresh grass clippings or manure can retain excess heat and scorch your plants.

Postpone the pruning. Spring bloomers like dogwood and certain roses don’t need trimming unless they’re dormant. Let ’em build their strength through growth; this will keep them blooming next year.

Your plants aren’t the only ones that need some extra TLC when the mercury skyrockets. Gardeners need as much care as their gardens. Give yourself a nice big drink of water, too. If you wait until you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Keep a bottle handy and take a swig every few minutes.

Protect your head and eyes with appropriate coverage. Hats and sunglasses are a must, as is some kind of sunblock. Work by the timer, not the task. An hour outside should be followed by at least 20 minutes inside. Put your feet up and check for sunburn while you have some more water. If you’re not dizzy, clammy or failing to sweat, you probably can head out again.

Hard work is admirable, but excessive heat warnings need to be taken seriously. Get some friends to help you with the big tasks, and find ways to make the little stuff easier. Lay some wet newspapers between vegetable rows to help cut back on the number of weeds to be pulled. Read up on drought-tolerant and shade-loving plants to make sure things are planted where they should be, and to ensure that you can spend a little more time tending to yourself.

Well, we’re off to Lecompton for the Territorial Days celebration. Music, spinning and history; three of my favorite things. Do something fun this weekend, and I’ll see you next time.

E-mail Audrey Lintner at gardenherald@hotmail.com.