Extremely hot temperatures will be felt across Iowa in the next few days and with that in mind, a lot of us might be wondering how to care for plants and gardens.

Thomas Jefferson Gardens board member Jean Walker, better known as “The Plant Doctor,” says most plants need about one-inch of water per week to stay healthy. However, flower pots require water everyday, due to plants drying out faster than in a regular garden. Walker gives this simple advice when it comes to watering plants and flowers in the summer.

“You’re better off to under water than over water. Because if you over water your plant will basically die. It will just kind of wilt away and you’ll wonder, ‘Well, what’s wrong with my plant?’ And that could be because the drainage isn’t good enough or you are over watering.”

Walker has this suggestion to check whether or not you need to water plants and flowers. 

“If you put your finger down to your second knuckle and it’s really dry, it needs water. If you put it down and it’s damp, I wouldn’t water it.”

Walker suggests checking flower pots to make sure there is a hole in the bottom to drain out water and moisture.