#keepingcool — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #keepingcool, aggregated by home.social.
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UK - Key plants for a #ClimateChange garden
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Thursday, 24 November 2022 at 11:30 am
Take a look at our pick of key plants to grow in a changing climate.
"With temperatures and levels of pollution on the rise, plants can help gardens and gardeners thrive in changing times.
"This might seem like a daunting prospect, but the good news for gardeners is that there are steps we can take at a local level to help ease the effects of these big issues.
"While we can use drought-tolerant plants to cope in raised temperatures, the long-term solution lies in reducing the heat. Some plants have been proven to actively improve the #microclimate of a garden and surrounding buildings. For example, plants like #jasmine, #EnglishIvy and #viburnum are able to cool a building by between 7-14ºC. Plants can also trap pollution by absorbing particulate matter. #Conifers have been found to be especially good at this due to their smaller leaf size and shape.
"On top of this, the more ecologically resilient we can make our gardens with increased planting, the better they will serve us as places to relax, reduce stress and improve our mental well-being."
Read more:
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/key-plants-for-a-climate-change-garden/#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateChangeGardening #ClimateChangeAdaptation #KeepingCool #DroughtTolerantPlants #GreenerCities
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I've been seeing these ads on Accuweather. They keep changing the hometown of the so-called inventor, depending on what place I'm looking up!
'Cool in 90 seconds' - the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6g41pzy41o
#FakeAds #FakeShit #BuyerBeware #StayCool #KeepingCool #AirConditioners
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Siskin is keeping cool during the heat wave by claiming his very own air vent. Sorry humans, bunnies need cool bellies. #FosterBunny #KeepingCool #TriangleRabbits
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What are your tips for using excess energy/saving energy?
For instance, it's hot here right now so if I have to use the electric range to cook, I put a pot of water on after the cooking is done but the range is still hot so the water can be heated up to use in tea or to store in a thermos for later. 🔅
The more it heats the water, the less it's heating the air in the room, I figure.
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So, we lost power briefly last night. I have a couple of battery operated fans and a small Solar power bank, but luckily, the power came back on. Note to self: Pick up some more rechargeable "D" batteries and another larger battery-powered fan... Just in case!
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How does #wildlife beat the heat?
Learn the wild ways #Massachusetts critters survive the summer.
7/01/2026"What do wild animals do when temperatures start to climb? Like any good New Englander, our local wildlife is built to survive all 4 seasons. From bizarre bodily functions to wardrobe changes, here’s how they’ll stay cool this summer.
Thermal panting and gular fluttering
You’ve likely seen a dog pant after laying in the sun. Wild animals do this too. Thermal panting increases the evaporation of liquid off their tongue and inside of their mouth, lowering their body temperature. Members of the canid (dog) and cervid (deer and moose) families are especially known for panting to thermoregulate. Certain birds, like owls and cormorants, use a similar strategy called gular fluttering—rapidly vibrating their throat to increase evaporation and cool themselves down.
“Hot yoga” for birds
When it gets hot, great blue herons will spread their wings in a dramatic, statue-like pose. Although it may look like yoga, they are actually striking this pose to release heat from their body and allow a cool breeze to reach areas of skin with fewer feathers. Interestingly, they also do this in the morning sun to warm up their bodies after a cool night.
A messy solution
Turkey vultures purposely defecate on their legs when it gets hot out. As the waste evaporates, it cools the bird down.
Turkey vultures and northern gannets use a unique, albeit gross, cooling strategy called urohidrosis (pronounced yoo-roh-hi-DROH-sis). These birds purposely defecate on their featherless legs to keep cool. The evaporation of the waste along the blood vessels results in a cooling effect. They’re not the only animals that do this. Harbor seals urinate on their hind flippers while sunbathing to regulate their body temperature too.
Shifting scenery and wardrobe
Blanding's turtles often move into shaded areas or underneath leaf litter to escape the summer heat
Sometimes survival just requires a change in routine. Some wildlife exhibit more nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn and dusk) activity so they can rest through the hottest part of the day. When it gets too warm, reptiles and amphibians move to cooler microclimates, underneath leaf litter and rotting logs, or submerge themselves in water. Black bears and moose will seek shelter in forested wetlands and use mud and shallow water to cool down. Occasionally, they come to artificial water sources, like swimming pools or water troughs. If you find wildlife cooling off, always keep your distance and wait for the animal to move on.
Many mammals, like coyote, deer, and fisher, also have thinner summer fur compared to their winter coats. Taking it a step further, bobcats not only have a thinner coat, they also tend to have less spots and more tawny, reddish fur to better camouflage with their summer habitats.
Want to help wildlife stay cool this summer?
Wild animals can care for themselves year-round and almost never need our help, even when it’s hot. However, you can make your yard a natural, cooling oasis for wildlife with these tips:
Note: If there are West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detections in your area, remove all standing water to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
- Grow native plants: For all wildlife, grow native plants, shrubs, and trees that offer natural sources of food and shelter from the sun.
- Bird bath 101: For songbirds, provide a shallow, clean bird bath with 1–2 inches of water. They are especially attracted to moving or dripping water. Be sure to replace the water weekly and regularly scrub the bird bath to remove build up. Learn more about creating a bird-friendly area.
- Be a rest stop for bugs: During droughts, or in areas far from natural water sources, create a water station in your garden for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fill a shallow saucer with water and place items for bugs to perch on, like small rocks and twigs, in the saucer. Don’t add sugar, but a small pinch of salt can provide minerals that bees and butterflies need. Change the water at least weekly.
- Avoid causing harm when trying to help: Never intentionally feed wildlife. This can cause individuals to gather at the site, creating a place for disease to spread and for wildlife to become less cautious around people. This could further harm the animals you were trying to help."Source:
https://www.mass.gov/news/how-does-wildlife-beat-the-heat#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators
#BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool #ClimateChange -
Bizarre ways #Massachusetts #wildlife beat the heat as state braces for 100+ degree week
By Liesel Nygard
Jun. 30, 2026"As Massachusetts prepares to face a brutal and prolonged heat wave that could push heat indices well past 100 degrees this week, local wildlife is already equipped with bizarre and fascinating methods to survive the sweltering temperatures.
"An extreme heat warning is in effect for most of the state from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. The impending conditions are commonly referred to as a heat dome, with peak heat index values expected to range from 98 to 112 degrees across the region as the week progresses.
"National Weather Service meteorologist Rob Megnia clarified that the system references an extended ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, noting in an interview with MassLive that the technical makeup creates 'a big plume of heat that’s going to be covering the whole East Coast.'
"While human residents are advised to stay indoors, avoid strenuous activity and constantly hydrate, New England’s wild animals rely on a mix of unique physiological adaptations and behavioral shifts to cool down.
"Much like a domestic dog on a hot afternoon, wild members of the canid and cervid families — including coyotes, deer and moose — use thermal #panting to evaporate moisture from their tongues and lower their body temperatures. Certain birds, such as owls and cormorants, rapidly vibrate their throats in a similar biological strategy known as gular fluttering, according to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
"Other avian species have more dramatic or unusual solutions. Great blue herons spread their wings in a statue-like yoga pose to catch cool breezes on patches of skin with fewer feathers.
"Meanwhile, turkey vultures and northern gannets practice urohidrosis, purposely defecating on their featherless legs so the evaporating waste cools down their blood vessels.
"Harbor seals employ a similar marine tactic, urinating on their hind flippers to thermoregulate while sunbathing, according to state experts.
"Survival in extreme heat also demands dynamic shifts in scenery and wardrobe. When temperatures climb, amphibians and reptiles seek out cooler microclimates beneath rotting logs or underneath leaf litter, while bears and moose look for shelter in forested #wetlands or #ShallowMud.
"In addition to adopting more nocturnal or dawn-and-dusk routines to avoid the hottest parts of the day, mammals like fishers and coyotes shed their thick winter fur.
"Bobcats take it a step further by growing a thinner coat with fewer spots and redder fur to seamlessly blend into their summer habitats, according to the state.
"Wildlife biologists emphasize that wild animals almost never need human intervention to survive extreme weather, but residents can take small steps to turn their yards into natural cooling oases.
"Residents are encouraged to grow #NativePlants for shade and to provide small, shallow #WaterStations for bugs, birds and pollinators.
"However, state officials advise regularly scrubbing out bird baths and removing standing water to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
"They also strongly warn against intentionally feeding wildlife, noting that doing so artificially congregates animals in a single spot, increasing the risk of disease spread and eroding their natural caution around people."
#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForWildlife #GardeningForPollinators #BeeWateringStations #BirdBaths #Heatwave #Heatwaves #BackyardWildlife #KeepCool #KeepingCool
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How to keep your house cool during #NewEngland #HeatWave
by Bailey Allen
June 30, 2026"As a heat wave approaches Massachusetts, residents may be looking for ways to keep their homes as cool as possible.
"The National Weather Service is predicting 'extreme heat and humidity' across most of southern New England, except the Berkshires and the Cape and Islands, from Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3.
"Temperatures are expected to rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (and heat index values around 111 degrees) near the end of the week.
"The weather service recommends drinking plenty of water and staying in an air-conditioned space to reduce the effects of the heat on the body.
Here are some tips for those without air conditioning or looking for ways to lower indoor temperatures during the upcoming 'dangerous heat.'"Here are some tips to help keep your home cool during the upcoming New England heat wave, according to Boston Emergency Management:
- Install an air conditioner and use ceiling or standing fans to improve airflow. However, electric fans will not prevent #HeatRelatedIllness, the City of Boston said.
- Weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cool air inside.
- Reflect heat back outside by installing temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, between windows and drapes.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sunlight with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a home by up to 80%, according to Boston Emergency Management.
- See if you can have a tree planted on the sidewalk in front of your home for free. Cities including Boston, Worcester, Quincy, Lowell, and Springfield offer free street tree planting programs.
- Limit the use of your stove and oven, which can increase indoor temperatures.Visit cooling centers if your home can't get cool
"If your home doesn't have air conditioning or isn't staying cool enough, Boston Emergency Management recommends taking breaks in air-conditioned places such as shopping malls, #PublicLibraries, or public #CoolingCenters.
"In Boston, cooling centers include swimming pools, #SplashPads , and community centers. Residents can call 2-1-1 to find cooling locations across #Massachusetts."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/B1iBq#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #KeepCool #ClimateChange #ExtremeHeat #KeepingCool #GreenerCities #MoreTrees #LibrariesRule!
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So, we broke down and bought a portable air conditioner. It works, but it's somewhat loud and scares our dog -- so I'm only going to use it when it's extremely hot and humid. Today was close to being one of those days, but instead, I turned on the small, portable dehumidifier that I picked up last year, and I'm using it along with my whisper quiet fan. The living room isn't frigid, but it's comfortable. And doggo is chill!
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#AncientEgyptian ‘#AirConditioning’ could help cool modern buildings
One research team hopes to harness 5,000-year-old ideas to battle rising temperatures.
by Andrew Paul
Published Aug 22, 2023"By retrofitting their shipping container test chamber with off-the-grid, solar powered battery storage, AL-Hassawi’s team can heat their chamber to upwards of 130 degrees Fahrenheit to test out their solutions while measuring factors such as air velocity, temperature, and humidity. The team is particularly focused on optimizing a passive cooling method involving large towers and evaporative cooling that dates as far back as 2,500 BCE in ancient Egypt. In these designs, moisture evaporates at the tower’s top, which turns into cool, heavier air that then sinks down to the habitable space below. In the team’s version, moisture could be generated via misting nozzles, shower heads, or simply water-soaked pads.
" 'It’s an older technology, but there’s been an attempt to innovate and use a mix of new and existing technologies to improve performance and the cooling capacity of these systems,' explained Al-Hassawi, who also envisions retrofitting smokestacks in older buildings to work as new cooling towers."
Full article:
https://www.popsci.com/technology/shipping-container-test-cooler/#SolarPunkSunday #AncientTechnology #ModernTechnology #KeepingCool
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☀️HOW WILL YOU BE KEEPING COOL?!☀️
It's another hot one today! Please take care!
Drink lots of water, stay in the shade when you can, if you go out wear sunscreen, check on your vulnerable friends, family and neighbours!
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#KeepingCool
#KeepingSafe
#HeatWave
#HotWeather
#Birmingham
#BirminghamUK
#Bromsgrove
#B31Voices #BVoices -
I'm escaping today's heat by retreating into the (relative) cool of the studio where it's only 26.4°C to paint some more #penguins. Gah! Bloody penguins, they're all the same... 🤣
#workinprogress #painting #penguinsoftheworld #art #birds #keepingcool #staycool -
So, this is the QUIETEST fan I've ever owned. And I can tilt it to blow on me, or away from me. I've seen it for sale for $39 (I paid more than that 3 years ago), but it's worth it!
"Simple Deluxe Comfort Zone Cradle Floor Fan, 12 Inch 3-Speed High Velocity, 230 Degree Adjustable Tilt, All-Metal, Carry Handle, Rubber Feet, Ideal for Home, Bedroom & Office, Black."
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We have fans set up in the upstairs rooms. One is pulling in cool air, the other exhausting hot air. The one pulling in cool air has #Lilacs blooming underneath, so the whole upstairs smells amazing! Once I reverse the fans, #Lavender (growing under the other window) will begin wafting in!
#NaturesAirFresheners #Blooming #PurplePower #FlowerPower #MayBlooms #FanVenting #SolarPunkSunday #KeepingCool
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That's a great idea! Thank you for sharing, @RobotDiver !
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How to Keep Beverages Cool Outside the Refrigerator
April 25, 2012
"In the industrialized world, we know only of one way to cool beverages: place containers in refrigerators. This practice, which occurs on a massive scale, is utterly dependent on fossil fuels.
"However, people obtained the same result much more #sustainably before the advent of the Industrial Revolution. In hot, dry climates, we used porous earthenware jugs that were not only re-usable, but also kept water cool by taking advantage of natural energy sources.
"The best known example is the Spanish ‘#botijo’, an unglazed ceramic container that cools beverages by evaporation. Similar drinking containers can be found in other Mediterranean countries, as well as in Mexico (where it is known as a ‘#búcaro’) and on the Indian subcontinent (where it is called a ‘#ghara’, ‘#matka’ or ‘#suhari’).
"The ceramic water cooler probably originated in the Indus Valley Civilization, which would make it 5000 years old."
Read more:
https://www.notechmagazine.com/2012/04/botijos.html#SolarPunkSunday #KeepingCool #LowTech #NoTech #AncientTechnology
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Natural cooling methods in #Morocco
October 27, 2024
"Morocco’s hot and dry climate makes it hard to keep homes cool. But, the country’s #TraditionalArchitecture has found clever ways to beat the heat. Using the environment, Moroccan builders have created natural cooling methods.
"They use things like porous [clay] jars and #mashrabiyas. These techniques keep homes cool without needing #AirConditioning.
Key Takeaways
- Moroccan architecture uses passive cooling like thermal mass design, shading, and ventilation.
- Evaporative cooling systems like porous jars and mashrabiyas cool homes by evaporation.
- Features like wind catchers, courtyards, and underground irrigation help cool naturally.
- Modern projects are using these old methods in new buildings for #sustainable cooling.
- Moroccan cooling methods show a deep understanding of the local climate and a focus on comfort and well-being.Traditional Moroccan Architecture:
"Moroccan architecture shows the clever use of #nature to make homes comfortable. At its core are the riads, traditional Moroccan houses. These houses have thick walls of clay or stone that keep the inside cool, even when it’s very hot outside.
#Riads and #Courtyards
The central courtyard, often with a #garden or fountain, acts as a natural air conditioner. In Fez, where it can get up to 104°F (40°C) in July, this design makes air conditioning unnecessary. The thick walls and central courtyard work together to keep the inside cool.
Khettaras and Fountains
"Traditional Moroccan architecture also uses advanced irrigation systems called khettaras. These systems bring water from the mountains to the cities. This water is used for cooling fountains and pools, lowering the temperature through evaporation.
"The sound of water and greenery in these courtyards make a peaceful and cool atmosphere. This adds to the natural cooling effect.
"The architecture in Morocco showcases a sustainable and cost-effective model for contemporary buildings, emphasizing the effectiveness of design and natural materials over reliance on air conditioning.'
"The traditional Moroccan building methods teach us about sustainable design. They use local, natural materials and work with the environment. This is a valuable lesson for modern architecture around the world."
Read more:
https://moroccandiaspora.com/natural-cooling-methods-in-morocco/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/0OMUu#SolarPunkSunday #heatwave #Heatwaves #KeepingCool #TraditionalDesign #MoroccanArchitecture #TraditionalArchitecture
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How #Paris's #SeineRiver keeps the #Louvre cool in summer
Delphine PAYSANT
Wed, June 18, 2025"As Paris braces for a #heatwave this weekend, a little-known network of underground pipes will be cooling the Louvre museum and other storied landmarks using water from the Seine river.
"Since 1991, the river water has been cooling more than 800 buildings via a humble but hard-working system that is still relatively under-utilised worldwide.
"Paris boasts the largest such urban cooling network in Europe: 110 kilometres (68 miles) of subterranean pipes criss-crossing the City of Light, reducing its need for energy-guzzling air conditioning.
" 'It's like 'Batman'!' exclaimed a passer-by in the chic and touristy eighth arrondissement or district of Paris, as a manhole cover was removed to reveal a spiral staircase to the cooling network below.
"The technology is not new: the headquarters of the United Nations in New York has been using water from the East River for cooling since the 1950s.
"But much planning and construction is necessary and as such, these efficient and #sustainable cooling systems remain relatively rare.
"But in Paris, the network has grown considerably in recent years to confront more intense and frequent #heatwaves, with the first of the summer forecast this coming weekend.
"The process works much the same as a district heating network, but in reverse: heat is transferred from the air to chilled water pumped via pipes to buildings around the city.
"But unlike conventional #AirConditioning, it does not blast hot air into the streets, according to Fraicheur de Paris, which manages the Seine cooling network and others in #Barcelona, #Singapore and #Dubai.
"The company, co-owned by the French energy utility Engie, says it also offers significant savings in electricity consumption, chemical use and emissions of planet-warming carbon dioxide.
"Heatwaves could push summer temperatures to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) by 2050 in Paris, said Raphaelle Nayral, secretary general of Fraicheur de Paris.
"The city needs a more sustainable solution than air conditioning units with their associated heat and energy burden, she added."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/pariss-seine-river-keeps-louvre-102539210.html#SolarPunkSunday #KeepingCool #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeSolutions
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So, a beverage I find refreshing when the weather is hot is cold #HibiscusTea. It was originally used in Africa, and its use spread around the world. Not sure about using garlic, but a ginger-spice-fruit version of #Zobo sounds refreshing!
Wikipedia: "Zobo is a local beverage drink in Nigeria. It is made from dried hibiscus leaf and other ingredients. The drink is commonly sold in restaurants and on roadsides."
Overview
"Hibiscus drink is made by boiling the hibiscus leaf alongside ginger, garlic for less than an hour. It is served hot or chilled depending on the weathered condition of the area it was produced. Other ingredients used in making zobo drink include nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, lime, pineapple and artificial colours. The particles are sieved leaving behind the zobo juice. The roselle drink has flavour similar to cranberry juice and it is ruby red in colour."
How to Make Zobo Drink
November 23, 2024 by Florence Akpotaire
https://verayea.com/how-to-make-zobo-drink/
#SolarPunkSunday #KeepingCool
#Heatwaves #AfricanBeverages #KeepingHydrated -
One of Europe’s Hottest Cities Rediscovers an Old Cooling Technique
By Laura Millan
August 8, 2023"The streets of #Seville in southern #Spain were so hot that July afternoon that it felt almost impossible to walk outdoors. As temperatures approached 42C (108F), people scrambled to find shelter in air-conditioned homes, offices and public buildings. Yet, less than two miles from the city center, a cool breeze blew under a giant white roof.
"The structure is a part of CartujaQanat, an architectural experiment in cooling solutions that doesn’t rely on burning more planet-warming #FossilFuels. The site, about the size of two soccer fields, includes two auditoriums, green spaces, a promenade and a shaded area with benches. But its star performer remains hidden — the qanat, a network of underground pipes and tubes inspired by Persian-era canals.
"The grid of #aqueducts can lower surrounding temperatures by as much as 10C using just air, water and #solar power, according to Emasesa, the Seville public water company that helped to build it. The system is modeled on ancient tunnels dug to bring water to agricultural fields that were first documented in what is today #Iran. The Persians realized 1,000 years ago that the running water also cooled the air in the canals, so they fashioned vertical shafts to bring that air to the surface.
" 'This is not an air-conditioning system like the one you may have in your home,' says Juan Luis López, the project’s supervisor and an engineer at Emasesa. 'We use natural techniques and materials to reduce temperatures.' "
Read more:
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2023-seville-spain-extreme-heat/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/36fz1#SolarPunkSunday #History #PersianTechnology #ClimateChange #KeepingCool #ExtremeHeat #AncientTechnology
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Another article about #Switchel I found...
Make Your Own Refreshing Summertime Drink
by Catherine Boeckmann
April 4, 2024"Switchel, also known as Haymaker’s Punch, is a refreshing drink with apple cider vinegar. It was how colonial farmers quenched their thirst in the hot, sunbaked fields—which is enough of an endorsement for me!
"Switchel, a refreshing and ancient beverage, combines the goodness of ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sweeteners like molasses and maple syrup. Known for its hydrating properties, this tangy elixir boasts a unique flavor profile, making it a wholesome and natural alternative to sugary drinks. Enjoyed for centuries, switchel is a timeless, revitalizing choice.
This drink is also called Haymaker’s Punch because it was often drunk while haying—which is hard work under the hot summer sun!"
https://www.almanac.com/switchel-recipe-haymakers-punch
#SolarPunkSunday #LowTech #KeepingCool #KeepingHydrated
#HeatWave #History #Histodon #HistoricalRecipes #ThirstQuenching -
How To Make Traditional #Switchel (Haymaker’s Punch)
Written by Author Tracey Besemer Published on September 2, 2019
Excerpt: "Switchel is an old fashioned sweet-sour-spice drink.
"Where switchel originated is still debated. New England, the Caribean, China? No one knows for certain where it came from.
"What is certain is this popular 17th-century drink helped the colonials beat the heat. Think Plymouth Rock Gatorade in a stone jug, minus the red dye #40.
"Its popularity continued among hard-working farmers in the summer when they were out haying, giving switchel the name haymaker’s punch.
"And today with all of the sports and energy drinks available, you won’t find a more refreshing drink for a hot and humid day when you’ve been busting your backside out in the sun.
"Or for sitting on the back porch under a patio umbrella watching someone else work in the sun.
"Switchel was made with ginger, a splash of tart apple cider vinegar and something sweet like molasses, maple syrup, or honey. The ginger made it easier on your stomach to drink a lot of cold liquid all at once. The apple cider vinegar cut through your thirst and left you smacking your lips, satisfied, and ready to get back to work.
"Switchel kept you hydrated and replenished your electrolytes long before we knew enough to be concerned about depleted electrolytes."
Read more (includes recipe and instructions):
https://www.ruralsprout.com/switchel/#SolarPunkSunday #LowTech #KeepingCool #KeepingHydrated #HeatWave #History #Histodon #HistoricalRecipes #ThirstQuenching
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Some good tips in this article. Something I like to do is soak my feet in cool water before bedtime!
20 Ways to Keep Yourself Cool without #AirConditioning
By Heather Harris / Last updated on June 3, 2024
We have survived without a central air conditioning unit in our home for the last 9 years…
https://thehomesteadinghippy.com/how-keep-cool-without-air-conditioning/
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The 1 thing gardeners forget to water during hot weather that's essential to plant health
Taking care of gardens during the summer can be a challenge, especially during a #heatwave, but there's one thing you should never forget to water.
By Sydney Evans, Audience Writer, Spare Time
Fri, Jun 20, 2025Excerpt: "In a video posted on Instagram, gardening enthusiast @cookseyfarms reminded gardeners of watering this one thing, and said: 'Don’t forget — your compost needs to be watered too sometimes!'
"Many gardeners keep and use homemade compost, using weeds, shredded wood and even vegetable scraps. Not only does compost improve soil structure, but the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explains that it can also boost moisture retention in fast-draining soils.
"However, compost that has become dry won't be of any use in your garden as the beneficial bacteria and fungi need moisture to break down organic matter, making it hard for compost to decompose and essentially do its job."
Source:
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/2071463/one-thing-gardeners-forget-water-compost#SolarPunkSunday #HeatWaves
#KeepingCool #Gardening
#Composting #GardeningInAHeatWave -
So, this article had an interesting tip: "Sometimes the only thing you can do is to learn to live with the heat. Spend time outside every day to build up your heat tolerance. Work in the garden or perform light activities outside to acclimate yourself. Drink plenty of water, so you stay hydrated and monitor yourself for signs of heat exhaustion." I do this exact thing when I go outside to compost or water the garden (or water the compost!). When I come back inside after my brief outside jaunts, the house feels a lot better!
25 Clever Ways to Cool Your Home Without AC
Written by Author Tracey Besemer Published on June 22, 2021
Read more:
https://www.ruralsprout.com/cool-your-home/#SolarPunkSunday #HeatWave #KeepingCool #Gardening #GardeningInAHeatWave
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Another useful tip, if you're in it for the long haul, is to reuse small pump spray bottles by refilling them with water/rose water/lavender water/cooled chamomile tea etc and then putting them in the fridge. Use them to spray your face and neck when you're melting.
#SolarPunkSunday #ClimateDiary #HeatWave #KeepingCool