export_ofoct.com (1)

[00:00.41] Wildfire season has begun in many places around the world.

[00:07.31] The dangerous smoke wildfires produce can spread far and wide.

[00:15.81] It blocks sunlight, poisons the air, and damages health of people and other living things.

[00:26.43] Some of those living things could be the plants in your garden, says gardening expert Jessica Damiano.

[00:37.06] She writes gardening stories for the Associated Press.

[00:42.64] Damiano lives in New York City and recently experienced several days of very smoky air.

[00:54.06] Wildfires in eastern Canada were the source.

[00:59.64] Damiano, like other people, limited the time she spent outdoors when the air quality was poor.

[01:09.46] She also wore a face covering, or mask, when she had to go outside.

[01:17.44] But the plants in her garden had no such escape.

[01:22.49] They had to breathe the poisoned air through the extremely small pores in their leaves.

[01:30.98] Brooke Edmunds is a plant scientist and community horticulturalist with Oregon State University Extension.

[01:41.87] She said plants subjected to smoke for a short amount of time will usually “bounce back,” or recover quickly.

[01:54.09] “It depends on how close you are,” she said.

[01:58.34] “There could also be a localized effect, where one garden is covered in ash, and a half-mile away, there’s nothing because that’s the way the wind was moving things around.”

[02:15.07] Pollutants and small particulate matter landing on your plants can block sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis.

[02:27.29] Reduced photosynthesis results in reduced energy. That means slower growth.

[02:36.59] Additionally, with longer exposure, organic compounds found in smoke can interfere with a plant’s ability to take in nutrients.

[02:50.67] Any damage will not be noticeable right away.

[02:55.72] The best thing home gardeners can do is “keep an eye on plants,” Edmunds advises.

[03:04.74] She suggests giving your plants some extra love and care for the entire season after exposure.

[03:15.10] “Most will pull through,” Edmunds added.

[03:19.62] Wash your plants with a gentle spray from a hose to remove substances left by smoke.

[03:28.39] Then give them a long, slow drink of water.

[03:33.69] Also, hold off on fertilizer until the air clears and plants fully recover.

[03:43.79] Edmunds said people should not use leaf blower machines to remove ashes from plants.

[03:52.82] You do not want to risk breathing in what is blowing around.

[03:58.67] “Always protect yourself as the gardener,” she said.

[04:03.98] Ash can change soil chemistry.

[04:07.96] If you find more than a dusting of ashes in your garden after a wildfire, bring a little of it to an expert for testing.

[04:19.92] And if you live in an area where wildfires are common, plant smoke-resistant species that will better withstand future exposures. Native plants are usually stronger than those from other areas.

[04:39.58] Finally, if you find ash on vegetables and other food plants, Edmunds suggests washing them before eating them.

[04:51.79] Use a solution of one part vinegar and nine parts water.

[04:59.22] Or, she said, take the skin off the vegetable.

[05:04.28] The ash is on the surface only.

[05:07.46] Your food will be safe and tasty!