Well folks, those scorching 100 degree summer days are officially upon
us! This is an especially dangerous time for us outdoor
garden-dwellers, so it is important to know how to keep you, and your
family cool while you plant and prune.

Hydration:

We can never stress the pre-sun preparation enough! If you know that
you will be toiling in the garden, be sure to fully hydrate at least
12 hours before you starting working under the sun. While sweat forms
on your brow, your body is losing electrolytes as well as copious
amounts of water! The good news is that you do not have to turn to
those neon-colored sports drinks to replenish- you can make your own
natural electrolyte blend using simple food items found around the
kitchen.

Citrus fruits are stars when it comes to replenishing vitamins and
minerals lost during summer activities because they contain key
nutrients such as vitamin C, B1, potassium, folic acid, and numerous
phytochemicals that keep our bodies strong.
Grapefruit, lime, lemon, and orange juice can be added into water and
enjoyed on a hot day.

Coconut water stands on its own when it comes to complete rehydration.
The clear juice from young green coconuts is chock-full of potassium
which will help rebalance your body after a strenuous day of
gardening.

Sodium is a key component in any revitalizing blend. After all, broken
down, electrolytes are essentially salts! While table salt works well,
make sure your blend contains sodium chloride or potassium iodine in
order to make a cocktail that will fully benefit your body.

Raw honey has the ability to moisturize your body from the inside out.
Add a little in your beverage to keep a workday sweet.

Here is a replenishing recipe we recommend:

1 liter purified water
1 c. coconut water
1/4 c. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. raw honey

Cooling foods right from your garden:

Many of the fruits and vegetables that ripen during these summer
months are perfectly suited to cool your body from the inside.

Cucumbers are a fantastic addition to anyone’s summer diet. If you
feel over-heated and irritable after an infamous Texas summer day,
these long green veggies have a high water content that will cool you
down. Vital nutrients such as vitamin A, silicon, potassium, and
sulphur work to repair damage within our bodies. These key components
are found mostly in the crisp skin of this garden favorite. So, enjoy
this vegetable unpeeled when it is 100 degrees!

Watermelons are popping up in garden beds all over Texas! With an H2O
content of 92%, these sweet treats make a fantastic juice blend or
stand alone dessert. Believe it or not, the rinds, which we typically
discard, contain high amounts of minerals and nutrients such as
magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and chlorophyll. This is an
excellent addition to your diet to keep the heat from ruining your
summer. We recommend juicing the rind, pickling it, or making a
refreshing summer tea.

Aloe vera can be found in landscapes and terra-cotta pots throughout
Texas. This spiked succulent works to cool and heal your body both
internally and externally. Cracking open its meaty green flesh reveals
a clear gel that can be scooped out and put directly on sunburns to
ease pain and inflammation. In addition to this, aloe juice can help
with heat related issues such as constipation and ulcers as its
cooling properties lubricate your internal organs. This miracle plant
is considered to be one of the greatest healers of the plant world!

Some other foods that help our bodies combat the sweltering summer
include mung beans, mint, avocados, prickly pears, blueberries,
barley, and sprouts.

Well, we hope that some of these suggestions help you and your family
to survive another Texas summer! As always, let us know if you have
any questions about those summer veggies popping up, or if you would
like to grow some of these heavy-heat-hitters. We at Yard Farm are
here to help you build a garden of your own!