I suppose the word anticipating could really be replaced with the word dreading. The forecasts are predicting triple digits starting Sunday. We have been fortunate that they have held off this long. Usually the triple digits hit in May. In anticipation of the heat, we have to get organized to provide shade, mist, and plenty of water for all living things on the ranch.
Last year we added misters for the poultry. I find plumbing one of the easiest tasks with pvc and all the neat little fittings available. Misters just require the little mist fittings placed in couplings and set between lengths of pvc. We also put "quick release" attachments on most of our hoses. This allows us to easily change from a spray nozzle to an animal waterer to tree or plant waterers. Every little task that can be shortened makes it much easier to withstand long enough to get the chores done before the intensity of the sun roasts you. A quick release versus unscrewing a hose to get the next task done is appreciated, not to mention prevents your hand from getting burned on the metal end of the hose if the sun has already been at work.
Animals need to be watered early in the morning after the water in the lines has cooled. If we run water mid-day out of the hose, the water is so hot it could scald. The animals should be fed early as well, so that they have an appetite. We are learning that the Great Pyrenese (which are not a hot climate dog) are more apt to eat early in the morning than after the heat of the day. Once the heat comes on full force the animals are looking for anything to protect themselves from the heat, so eating is not a priority. Just after the sun comes up, the animals are the most active. The chickens seem relieved to have the opportunity to run around and scratch in the morning.
I had always learned, coming from the east, that watering at night is not preferred because of the potential for molds to grow. Well, the lack of humidity in the desert seems to negate this watering no-no. I find that the early morning watering works, but night-time allows enough time for the water to seep into the earth. Otherwise, evaporation pulls the water away from the plant. I believe that the night watering works best for trees and larger plants. Gardens with lots of mulching and such seem to be okay with the early morning watering as well. The mulching and overgrowth of the plants limits the evaporation somewhat. Watering in the day where water pools can increase the potential for scalding of plant leaves from the reflection of the sun upwards onto the plant.
Shade for plants and animals is helpful as well. I had tomato plants that survived an entire summer under a sun shade material. The direct sun just seems to be to intense for any plant that is labeled for direct sun. Short of the succulents and cacti, afternoon shade gives plants a much better chance of survival. The sun gets to be too intense for the horses as well. We currently have not put our shades in the horse pastures, so the horses come in for the day and out at night. That is, until the mosquitoes get to be so bad that the horses have to be in at night also. I will rotate them out for a few hours in the early morning and evening and in during the heat and mosquito feeding times.
Lifestyle changes are also in order to get through the desert summer. Outdoor chores really need to be done at sun up and sun down. I understand how the "siesta" came into being. You get up extra early, nap in the heat of the day, and stay up late finishing the day. Unfortunately, there are things that have to be done in the heat of the day, so I have yet to accomplish a "siesta" schedule. The other problem with this schedule is that it is also the mosquitoes' schedule. So clothing to protect from the biting pests becomes a necessity. I dress in Donald's old jeans with a long sleeve shirt buttoned to the neck and down to the wrists. Socks (not ankle-socks but crew or something that covers the ankles) with closed-toe shoes prevent the nasty bites on the feet. I always regret the attempt to dash out in flip flops to do something quickly. I always end up with nasty bites that are quite embarrassing when I'm in public with sandals!
Domestic chores have to be modified to keep the house cool. The use of appliances such as the dishwasher, oven or dryer really need to be during the night. Trying to cook or bake in the summer is miserable! If wash requires cold water, you're just out of luck until late fall when the night time temperatures cool enough to cool the water in the water lines. We now officially have warm or hot water from the water lines only. Cool water has to be cooled in the fridge. Showering requires the cold dial only, because if you add the hot dial, you will burn yourself. And that is coming from someone that likes HOT showers.
I am very thankful that we have an air conditioned cab in our tractor. This allows us to do fieldwork anytime of the day if necessary. Occasionally, I will use the little red tractor that is an open cab for raking or other ranch work in the summer. I have to do it at dawn though, and I have driven with a can of mosquito spray, spraying as I ride through the fields. I set the tractor at the highest speed possible to get the job done without throwing the hay into the next field, just to outrun the mosquitos and create a breeze. I much prefer the John Deere.
