Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada drove down air quality across swaths of the Eastern U.S. this week, a problem all too familiar in many Western states. In the New York City suburbs where I live, the air became smoggy and orange, categorized for a time by monitoring agencies as B次元官网网址渉azardous.B次元官网网址�

During the worst of it, I wore a mask inside my house and kept my dog mostly indoors.

But my plants stood in the garden with no choice but to breathe the toxic air through the tiny pores in their leaves.

If your area is heavily affected by smoke or ash, the first priorities should, of course, be human, home and pet safety. But after securing those, you might find your plants need a little help, too.

B次元官网网址淲hen theyB次元官网网址檙e exposed to smoke particles for a short amount of time, plants will bounce back, but a heavy amount of smoke is different than a passing event,B次元官网网址� according to Oregon State University Extension community horticulturist Brooke Edmunds, who also is a plant pathologist.

B次元官网网址淚t depends on how close you are,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭here also could be a localized effect, where one garden is covered in ash, and a half-mile away, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing because thatB次元官网网址檚 the way the wind was moving things around.B次元官网网址�

Pollutants and small particulate matter landing on your plants can block sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis. Reduced photosynthesis translates to reduced energy, and weaker plants will display slow growth and diminished vigor.

Additionally, with prolonged exposure, volatile organic compounds found in smoke can affect leaves and other plant parts and disrupt the ability of plants to take up nutrients. The damage, if any, wonB次元官网网址檛 be noticeable right away.

The best thing home gardeners can do is B次元官网网址渒eep an eye on plants for the rest of the summer and give them TLC because these events can add to the general stress of plants,B次元官网网址� Edmunds advised, adding that B次元官网网址渕ost will pull through.B次元官网网址�

Wash smoke residue off plants with a gentle spray from a hose, then give them a long, slow drink to help rehydrate them. DonB次元官网网址檛 fertilize until the air clears and plants fully recover.

If there are ashes, Edmunds cautions against using a leaf blower to remove them, which would raise the risk of inhalation.

B次元官网网址淎lways protect yourself as the gardener,B次元官网网址� she said.

Ash deposits can affect soil chemistry, raising pH levels and diminishing the availability of nutrients to some plants, particularly those requiring acidic growing conditions. If you find more than a dusting of ashes in your garden after a wildfire, bring a soil sample to your local extension service for testing and advice.

And if you live in a region prone to wildfires, plant less-vulnerable species that will better withstand future exposures. Native plants tend to be more resilient than exotics. Your extension service, botanical garden or horticultural society can offer guidance for selecting appropriate plants for your area.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of times, people are concerned about edible plants, but smoke doesnB次元官网网址檛 actually penetrate into fruits or vegetables,B次元官网网址� Edmunds said. If thereB次元官网网址檚 a coating of ash on them, she advises washing them with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 9 parts water, or peeling them.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really early in the season, though, so there wonB次元官网网址檛 likely be any issues,B次元官网网址� Edmunds said.

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