
From scattered sunlight to dozy bees, smoky days challenge Canada's food growers
A thick haze blanketed much of the Prairies and Central Canada on Monday as wildfires burned in northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
Environment Canada issued air quality warnings advising people to stay indoors — not an option for those growing the food Canadians rely on.
As for how the smoke affects the crops themselves — it's complicated, said Ashley Ammeter, whole farm specialist at the Manitoba Crop Alliance.
'One of the big challenges we have is that although some of these wildfire events are becoming more common, they're still relatively unpredictable and that also makes it hard to properly study these effects,' she said.
The haze can reflect and interfere with sunlight, which could disrupt photosynthesis. How that affects yields depends on the type of crop — soybeans would likely fare better than corn — and the timing of the smoky days, Ammeter said.
Ozone produced when sunlight is exposed to pollutants in the smoke can also damage plant tissues and leaves, potentially reducing yields.
On the flip side, smoke could scatter sunlight in such a way that it can better penetrate the canopy of a tall crop like corn. It can also reduce temperatures — a benefit or a drawback, depending on whether recent weather has been hot or cool.
Either way, there's not a lot a grower can do.
'Like a lot of things with weather and agriculture, you're very much at the mercy of what's going on. Essentially, you just have to ride it out,' Ammeter said.
In the grand scheme of things, the impact of smoke is thought to be relatively minor, she added. Drought — a major problem in recent years on the Prairies — and excess moisture are much more problematic.
Paul Gregory, with Interlake Honey Producers Ltd. about 150 kilometres north of Winnipeg, said wildfire smoke is bad news for anyone in the bee-keeping business.
The insects have evolved to go into a 'safety response' when smoke is in the air, said Gregory, who is also vice-chair of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association.
'They get docile, but they quit foraging. And when they quit foraging, of course, there's no nectar coming in,' he said.
'So they're just sort of hovering around. They're not doing a whole lot, because they're thinking: 'Hey, we might have to leave our home because there could be a wildfire coming.' So it does impact our honey production.'
Gregory figures he's looking at a 30 to 40 per cent drop in honey production year-over-year.
The smoke compounds existing problems from drought.
'In dry years, definitely there's less nectar coming in,' he said. 'We still get a crop, because the blossoms are blooming, but if the crop is under stress, then the blossoms will be in a shorter duration.'
As for protecting the health of the honey operation's workforce — mainly labourers from Nicaragua — the only thing Gregory can do is cut the day short on poor-air-quality days.
The same things humans often experience on smoky days — irritated eyes, a scratchy throat or trouble breathing — may also affect livestock animals, said Dr. Leigh Rosengren, chief veterinary officer at the Canadian Cattle Association.
'But of course, we don't have the option with cattle to go indoors or to evacuate areas easily. So we are certainly watching them and monitoring them more closely for any sort of respiratory issues or irritation of their eyes or nose, those respiratory tract areas,' she said.
Any overt signs an animal is struggling would warrant a visit to the veterinarian, said Rosengren. Otherwise, producers can make sure the cattle have clean water without ash in it, are getting immune-supporting nutrition and aren't enduring undue stress from too much handling, moving and co-mingling.
Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, a veterinarian who teaches animal health economics at the University of Calgary, said it's often tough to tell if an animal is unwell, but farmers can look out for shortness of breath or difficulty moving. If symptoms are severe, anti-inflammatory medication may be needed.
'Prevention is actually quite difficult,' he said.
From a business perspective, the prospect of the wildfire itself approaching a farm or ranch is much more disruptive as it's no easy feat to round up thousands of cattle and quickly move them to safety, Lhermie said.
Another challenge is grass being burned.
'That means you may have difficulty to have new pasture and feed for the next month, so that's also a massive disrupter in the farm economy,' Lhermie said.
Gregory, the Manitoba beekeeper, said what he's seeing in his business drives home that the impacts of climate change have arrived.
'It's very sad to see that this is the climate we're giving our grandchildren and children.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Warning About 'Unusual Fatigue' Extended for Millions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials in Wisconsin extended an air quality advisory impacting millions through Friday night as smoke pollution reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Breathing in the smoke could worsen preexisting health conditions or cause new issues. People were told to monitor themselves for symptoms such as unusual fatigue, as it could indicate a serious problem, specifically for those with heart conditions. Why It Matters Widespread air quality alerts and advisories were issued across the Upper Midwest on Thursday due to dense wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. The fine particle pollution—PM2.5—reached levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) or worse in numerous counties, prompting warnings from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The primary populations at risk include older adults, children, and those with existing heart or respiratory conditions. Officials emphasized that even brief exposure to air pollutants carried in wildfire smoke can lead to exacerbation of underlying medical problems, trigger new symptoms, or prompt emergency medical needs, particularly among vulnerable groups. A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023. A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023. Angela Weiss/Getty What To Know The alert took effect at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and will remain in place at least through Friday night at 11 p.m. Nearly all of Wisconsin is currently under the advisory, except for the southwest part of the state. Dozens of counties in northern, central, and southeastern Wisconsin are affected. The advisory covered both rural and urban areas, including cities such as Milwaukee, Green Bay, and La Crosse. The DNR and National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents, especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other lung problems, to reschedule or move activities indoors to minimize exposure. Younger children, older adults, and anyone noticing symptoms such as coughing or unusual fatigue were also advised to limit outdoor activity and seek medical attention if necessary. A Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday that there have been 11 air quality alerts issued so far this year, nearly triple the number of such alerts issued in 2024, reflecting the increased scope and frequency of wildfire-driven smoke incidents across the Midwest this summer. However, 14 such alerts were issued in Wisconsin in 2023 as Canadian wildfire smoke descended across the U.S. that year. Prior to 2023, there were zero alerts in 2022, and six alerts in 2021. Air quality alerts were also issued in Minnesota and Michigan on Friday. What People Are Saying The Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek: "Wildfires occur frequently in the US and Canada throughout the summer months, so we will continue watching for potential smoke impacts as long as there are active wildfires." An NWS air quality alert for Wisconsin: "Canadian wildfire smoke has entered northwest Wisconsin Thursday and will continue to move to the southeast through the remainder of the day. On Friday, smoke will begin moving south. Winds will begin turning southerly Friday night into Saturday, at which point the smoke will begin moving back north. It is possible that the advisory will need to be extended into Saturday for some areas of Wisconsin." What Happens Next The air quality alert was scheduled to last through Friday night, with the potential for extension or geographic adjustment based on updated data from air monitors and forecast models. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant for updated alerts and to monitor their own health closely, especially individuals in higher-risk categories.


Boston Globe
10 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Here's how to plant for our climate future
A senior research fellow, Allen is part of a team from UMass and the 'It helped me feel better about choosing species that are going to be resilient over the long term,' she said. That included plants such as milkweed, beebalm, lanceleaf coreopsis, and smooth blue aster that would do particularly well in a meadow-type garden. 'Mostly everything is shifting north,' said Matthew Fertakos, a research fellow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and lead author of the new guide. By mid-century, the climate in Massachusetts is 'So you can think about the plants that are growing in that region becoming more and more optimal in the Massachusetts area.' And other plants, such as Canadian wild ginger, swamp milkweed, paper birch, and sweetfern, that were once considered native to Massachusetts, will find the climate here no longer hospitable. When the USDA updated its plant hardiness map in 2023, the coldest zones in Massachusetts were eliminated or reduced, compared to the previous map, from 2012. By the 2050s, between 10 and 20 percent of native species in each state are predicted to be no longer suitable to the new climate, Fertakos said. Related : The UMass researchers surveyed roughly 350 nurseries, from Virginia to Maine and Ohio to Massachusetts, to find out what native plants were available for purchase. Then they used forecasting models to understand how growing conditions might change over the next 40 years, and came up with a list with hundreds of options for home gardeners in each state. Using the Climate-Smart plant database as our guide, the Globe created four potential gardens, each with native and near-native plants that are well-suited to the current climate, and what's expected. The plants in each garden were chosen to ensure year-round foliage, with a variety of colors and heights. Each garden has its own variables — different soil needs, available space, sunlight, and more — so this is less of a prescription, and more of a vision for what's possible. Advertisement Meadow garden @font-face { font-family: BentonSansCond-Regular; src: url(" format('woff2'), url(" format('woff'); } @font-face { font-family: BentonSansCond-Bold; src: url(" format('woff2'), url(" format('woff'); } .margin_horizontal_10 { margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%; } #g-meadowgarden-box { container-type:inline-size; container-name:g-meadowgarden-box; } #g-meadowgarden-box, #g-meadowgarden-box .g-artboard { margin:0 auto; } #g-meadowgarden-box p { margin:0; } #g-meadowgarden-box .g-aiAbs { position:absolute; } #g-meadowgarden-box .g-aiImg { position:absolute; top:0; display:block; width:100% !important; } #g-meadowgarden-box .g-aiSymbol { position:absolute; box-sizing:border-box; } #g-meadowgarden-box .g-aiPointText p { white-space:nowrap; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { display:none; } @container g-meadowgarden-box (width >= 1020px) { #g-meadowgarden-desktop { display:block; } } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { margin: 0 auto; max-width: 100%; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:normal; line-height:15px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:13px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; height:auto; position:static; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:34px; height:34px; font-size:34px; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop .g-pstyle1 { font-style:Bold; text-align:center; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:12px; font-size:10px; text-align:center; } #g-meadowgarden-desktop .g-cstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; font-size:10px; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } @container g-meadowgarden-box (width >= 550px) { #g-meadowgarden-mobile { display:none; } } #g-meadowgarden-mobile p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:11px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; height:15px; font-size:15px; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:10px; height:10px; padding-top:3px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:8px; text-align:center; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet { display:none; } @container g-meadowgarden-box (width >= 550px) and (width < 1020px) { #g-meadowgarden-tablet { display:block; } } #g-meadowgarden-tablet p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:20px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:18px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:27px; height:27px; font-size:27px; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:18px; height:18px; padding-top:5px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:15px; text-align:center; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-meadowgarden-tablet .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } /*MANUALLY-ADDED STYLE CODE STARTS HERE*/ .theme-dark .diptextpic_cap_cred { color: #fff; } #g-meadowgarden-mobile { display: block; /*Show the mobile version by default*/ } #g-meadowgarden-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } @media (min-width: 550px) { #g-meadowgarden-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-meadowgarden-tablet { display: block; /*Show the tablet version @ screen width 550px*/ } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } } @media (min-width: 1020px) { #g-meadowgarden-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-meadowgarden-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-meadowgarden-desktop { display: block; /*Show the desktop version @ screen width 900px*/ } } .captionorcred { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align: right; margin: 3px 15px 3px 0px; font-weight: 200; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; color: #333; text-transform: uppercase; } Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Eastern Purple Coneflower Echinacea Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 8 10 11 2 1 7 4 9 3 5 6 Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa 1 7 Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 2 8 Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve 3 9 Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 4 10 Eastern Purple Coneflower Echinacea Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium 5 11 Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 6 8 10 11 2 1 7 4 9 3 5 6 Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa 1 7 Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 2 8 Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Smooth Blue Aster Symphyotrichum laeve 3 9 Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 4 10 Eastern Purple Coneflower Echinacea Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium 5 11 Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 6 SOURCE: Climate-Smart Gardening 2.0; CREDIT: Lily Cowper/Globe staff 'Meadowscaping' is the practice of turning your lawn into a meadow, which is the route Allen chose for her property. Meadow gardens usually include a mix of grasses, herbs, and wildflowers. There are many reasons to choose this style, from the practical (meadows are less expensive to maintain than lawns, and require less water and energy) to the ecological (they encourage biodiversity, can sequester more planet-warming emissions, and appeal to pollinators). They are best for large, sunny yards, since meadow plants tend to prefer full sun. Still, there are plenty of native and near-native herbs that do well in shade; you can use the Climate-Smart plant database to plan accordingly. It takes some time for the plants to spread and develop, so don't be discouraged if your meadow isn't what you imagined at first. We modeled our meadow off the plants Allen used, including a few near-natives such as lanceleaf coreopsis, a yellow flower that readily spreads, and eastern purple coneflower, an echinacea plant with lavender flowers. Pollinator garden #g-pollinator-box { container-type:inline-size; container-name:g-pollinator-box; } #g-pollinator-box, #g-pollinator-box .g-artboard { margin:0 auto; } #g-pollinator-box p { margin:0; } #g-pollinator-box .g-aiAbs { position:absolute; } #g-pollinator-box .g-aiImg { position:absolute; top:0; display:block; width:100% !important; } #g-pollinator-box .g-aiSymbol { position:absolute; box-sizing:border-box; } #g-pollinator-box .g-aiPointText p { white-space:nowrap; } #g-pollinator-desktop { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-pollinator-desktop { display:none; } @container g-pollinator-box (width >= 1020px) { #g-pollinator-desktop { display:block; } } #g-pollinator-desktop { margin: 0 auto; max-width: 100%; } #g-pollinator-desktop p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:12px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-pollinator-desktop .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:33px; height:33px; font-size:33px; } #g-pollinator-desktop .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; font-size:13px; text-align:center; } #g-pollinator-desktop .g-pstyle2 { font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-pollinator-mobile { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } @container g-pollinator-box (width >= 550px) { #g-pollinator-mobile { display:none; } } #g-pollinator-mobile p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:11px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-pollinator-mobile .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; height:15px; font-size:15px; } #g-pollinator-mobile .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:10px; height:10px; padding-top:3px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:8px; text-align:center; } #g-pollinator-mobile .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-pollinator-mobile .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } #g-pollinator-tablet { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-pollinator-tablet { display:none; } @container g-pollinator-box (width >= 550px) and (width < 1020px) { #g-pollinator-tablet { display:block; } } #g-pollinator-tablet p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:19px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:17px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-pollinator-tablet .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:27px; height:27px; font-size:27px; } #g-pollinator-tablet .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:17px; height:17px; padding-top:4px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:14px; text-align:center; } #g-pollinator-tablet .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-pollinator-tablet .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } /*MANUALLY-ADDED STYLE CODE STARTS HERE*/ .theme-dark .diptextpic_cap_cred { color: #fff; } #g-pollinator-mobile { display: block; /*Show the mobile version by default*/ } #g-pollinator-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-pollinator-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } @media (min-width: 550px) { #g-pollinator-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-pollinator-tablet { display: block; /*Show the tablet version @ screen width 550px*/ } #g-pollinator-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } } @media (min-width: 1020px) { #g-pollinator-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-pollinator-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-pollinator-desktop { display: block; /*Show the desktop version @ screen width 1020px*/ } } .captionorcred { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align: right; margin: 3px 15px 3px 0px; font-weight: 200; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; color: #333; text-transform: uppercase; } Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Fall Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa Blue Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 2 7 1 4 3 8 6 5 Fall Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 1 5 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani Blue Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum 2 6 Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 3 7 Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 4 8 2 7 1 4 3 8 6 5 Fall Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa 1 5 Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani Blue Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum 2 6 Bergamot (Beebalm) Monarda fistulosa Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 3 7 Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens Mexican hat Ratibida columnifera 4 8 SOURCE: Climate-Smart Gardening 2.0; CREDIT: Lily Cowper/Globe staff Pollinators such as honeybees, butterflies, birds, and bats play a critical role in our ecosystem, supporting three-quarters of the world's flowering plants and more than a third of the world's food crops, Our pollinator garden includes plants that were flagged in the database as attractive to a large number of pollinators, and that bloom across seasons, ensuring species have adequate food when they emerge from and prepare for winter hibernation. Advertisement Our garden also includes a few near-native plants, such as sweet azalea and blue mistflower, both known for attracting native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Pollinator gardens aren't just for bugs; the Climate-Smart plant database also denotes whether the plant supports birds, mammals, and amphibians, which also help maintain a healthy local ecosystem. Rain garden #g-raingarden-box { container-type:inline-size; container-name:g-raingarden-box; } #g-raingarden-box, #g-raingarden-box .g-artboard { margin:0 auto; } #g-raingarden-box p { margin:0; } #g-raingarden-box .g-aiAbs { position:absolute; } #g-raingarden-box .g-aiImg { position:absolute; top:0; display:block; width:100% !important; } #g-raingarden-box .g-aiSymbol { position:absolute; box-sizing:border-box; } #g-raingarden-box .g-aiPointText p { white-space:nowrap; } #g-raingarden-desktop { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-raingarden-desktop { display:none; } @container g-raingarden-box (width >= 1020px) { #g-raingarden-desktop { display:block; } } #g-raingarden-desktop { margin: 0 auto; max-width: 100%; } #g-raingarden-desktop p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:12px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-raingarden-desktop .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:32px; height:32px; font-size:32px; } #g-raingarden-desktop .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:14px; font-size:13px; text-align:center; } #g-raingarden-desktop .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; text-align: center; } #g-raingarden-mobile { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } @container g-raingarden-box (width >= 550px) { #g-raingarden-mobile { display:none; } } #g-raingarden-mobile p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:11px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-raingarden-mobile .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; height:15px; font-size:15px; } #g-raingarden-mobile .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:10px; height:10px; padding-top:3px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:8px; text-align:center; } #g-raingarden-mobile .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-raingarden-mobile .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } #g-raingarden-tablet { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-raingarden-tablet { display:none; } @container g-raingarden-box (width >= 550px) and (width < 1020px) { #g-raingarden-tablet { display:block; } } #g-raingarden-tablet p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:18px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:16px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-raingarden-tablet .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:27px; height:27px; font-size:27px; } #g-raingarden-tablet .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:16px; height:16px; padding-top:4px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:13px; text-align:center; } #g-raingarden-tablet .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-raingarden-tablet .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } /*MANUALLY-ADDED STYLE CODE STARTS HERE*/ .theme-dark .diptextpic_cap_cred { color: #fff; } #g-raingarden-mobile { display: block; /*Show the mobile version by default*/ } #g-raingarden-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-raingarden-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } @media (min-width: 550px) { #g-raingarden-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-raingarden-tablet { display: block; /*Show the tablet version @ screen width 550px*/ } #g-raingarden-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } } @media (min-width: 1020px) { #g-raingarden-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-raingarden-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-raingarden-desktop { display: block; /*Show the desktop version @ screen width 1020px*/ } } .captionorcred { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align: right; margin: 3px 15px 3px 0px; font-weight: 200; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; color: #333; text-transform: uppercase; } Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens Fewflower Milkweed Asclepias lanceolata Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera Swamp Rose Rosa palustris Slender Blue Iris Iris prismatica Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia Winterberry Ilex verticillata Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Giant Goldenrod Solidago gigantea Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow Hibiscus moscheutos Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa 11 1 12 3 2 5 10 4 9 7 6 8 Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow Hibiscus moscheutos 1 7 Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa 2 8 Swamp Rose Rosa palustris Giant Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 3 9 Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Slender Blue Iris Iris prismatica 4 10 Winterberry Ilex verticillata Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens 5 11 Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica Fewflower Milkweed Asclepias lanceolata 6 12 11 1 12 3 2 5 10 4 9 7 6 8 Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow Hibiscus moscheutos 1 7 Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa 2 8 Swamp Rose Rosa palustris Giant Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 3 9 Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Slender Blue Iris Iris prismatica 4 10 Winterberry Ilex verticillata Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens 5 11 Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica Fewflower Milkweed Asclepias lanceolata 6 12 SOURCE: Climate-Smart Gardening 2.0; CREDIT: Lily Cowper/Globe staff Rain gardens are designed to temporarily catch and absorb runoff from roofs, driveways, patios, or lawns. This practice is also called bioretention and has inspired so-called 'sponge cities,' a planning technique that aims to reduce urban flooding by redirecting runoff into small 'sponge parks' that will catch, store, and even clean water for reuse. To make your own personal sponge park, For our garden, we chose a mix of plants that prefer medium- to wet-moisture levels, as well as some that can tolerate both dry and wet. Using grasses like Pennsylvania sedge as ground cover to help the soil better absorb rain, along with a combination of plants of different heights and light preferences, can make for a hearty garden. Our rain garden includes a few near-native species, such as wax myrtle, an evergreen shrub or tree, and few-flower milkweed, which can grow between 3- to 5-feet tall and blooms with red-orange flowers in summer. Advertisement Small, shady garden #g-smallspace_shady-box { container-type:inline-size; container-name:g-smallspace_shady-box; } #g-smallspace_shady-box, #g-smallspace_shady-box .g-artboard { margin:0 auto; } #g-smallspace_shady-box p { margin:0; } #g-smallspace_shady-box .g-aiAbs { position:absolute; } #g-smallspace_shady-box .g-aiImg { position:absolute; top:0; display:block; width:100% !important; } #g-smallspace_shady-box .g-aiSymbol { position:absolute; box-sizing:border-box; } #g-smallspace_shady-box .g-aiPointText p { white-space:nowrap; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { display:none; } @container g-smallspace_shady-box (width >= 1020px) { #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { display:block; } } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { margin: 0 auto; max-width: 100%; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; line-height:12px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; font-weight:regular; height:auto; position:static; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:34px; height:34px; font-size:34px; text-align:right; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; font-size:13px; text-align:center; } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; text-align:center; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } @container g-smallspace_shady-box (width >= 550px) { #g-smallspace_shady-mobile { display:none; } } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:11px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:10px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; height:auto; position:static; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:15px; height:15px; font-size:15px; text-align:right; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:10px; height:10px; padding-top:3px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:8px; text-align:center; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { position:relative; overflow:hidden; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { display:none; } @container g-smallspace_shady-box (width >= 550px) and (width < 1020px) { #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { display:block; } } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet p { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:20px; opacity:1; letter-spacing:0em; font-size:18px; text-align:left; color:rgb(0,0,0); text-transform:none; padding-bottom:0; padding-top:0; mix-blend-mode:normal; height:auto; position:static; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet .g-pstyle0 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:27px; height:27px; font-size:27px; text-align:right; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet .g-pstyle1 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; line-height:18px; height:18px; padding-top:5px; letter-spacing:-0.04em; font-size:15px; text-align:center; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet .g-pstyle2 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Bold, sans-serif; font-style:Bold; } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet .g-pstyle3 { font-family:BentonSansCond-Regular, sans-serif; font-style:italic; } /*MANUALLY-ADDED STYLE CODE STARTS HERE*/ .theme-dark .diptextpic_cap_cred { color: #fff; } #g-smallspace_shady-mobile { display: block; /*Show the mobile version by default*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } @media (min-width: 550px) { #g-smallspace_shady-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { display: block; /*Show the tablet version @ screen width 550px*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { display: none; /*Hide the desktop version*/ } } @media (min-width: 1020px) { #g-smallspace_shady-mobile { display: none; /*Hide the mobile version*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-tablet { display: none; /*Hide the tablet version*/ } #g-smallspace_shady-desktop { display: block; /*Show the desktop version @ screen width 1020px*/ } } .captionorcred { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: .5px; text-align: right; margin: 3px 15px 3px 0px; font-weight: 200; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; color: #333; text-transform: uppercase; } Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens Feathery False Lily-of-the-Valley Maianthemum racemosum Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica Eastern Red Columbine Aquilegia canadensis Fringed Bleedinghearts Dicentra eximia Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptans 1 4 2 6 10 3 11 9 5 8 7 Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens 1 7 Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptans Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata 2 8 Eastern Red Columbine Aquilegia canadensis Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia 3 9 Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana 4 10 Feathery False Lily-of-the-Valley Maianthemum racemosum Fringed Bleedinghearts Dicentra eximia 5 11 Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 6 1 4 2 6 10 3 11 9 5 8 7 Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica Coral Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens 1 7 Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptans Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata 2 8 Eastern Red Columbine Aquilegia canadensis Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia 3 9 Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana 4 10 Feathery False Lily-of-the-Valley Maianthemum racemosum Fringed Bleedinghearts Dicentra eximia 5 11 Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens 6 SOURCE: Climate-Smart Gardening 2.0; CREDIT: Lily Cowper/Globe staff Not every space is ideal. So, what if you don't have much room, and it's mostly shady? For this, we chose plants that are not considered aggressive, don't grow too tall, and can tolerate a good deal of shade. We've got a mix of native and near-native species, including dwarf crested iris (a groundcover with purple flowers) and fringed bleedinghearts (a compact, bushy perennial with tell-tale pink heart-shaped flowers). Urban gardeners can also make use of fences, shade structures, and walls by growing colorful vines such as coral honeysuckle or wisteria, though keep in mind that most vines prefer full sun. The table below shows some columns from the Climate-Smart Northeast Plant list, but you can download a full version of the table Sabrina Shankman can be reached at


CNN
a day ago
- CNN
Tracking heat: Here's where it will feel like 110 degrees
Extreme temperatures Climate changeFacebookTweetLink Follow Dangerous heat is peaking today for millions in the central United States as a heat dome in summer's hottest month lives up to its reputation — but sauna-like conditions are only just beginning for areas farther east. The heat index — how hot it actually feels given the temperature and humidity — will top out in the 100s from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest Thursday afternoon while it soars above 110 degrees in some parts of the Mississippi Valley. Memphis, Tennessee, had its hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday with a high of 97 degrees and a heat index of at least 106 degrees. The city could match that intense heat Thursday while just south in Greenville, Mississippi, the heat index could hit 110 degrees. Farther north, Chicago's high temperature of 94 degrees could come within a degree of its hottest day so far this year. That same roasting summer heat started creeping into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday. High temperatures in the 90s are likely Thursday afternoon as far north as Burlington, Vermont – located about 30 miles from the Canadian border. The worst heat for the East arrives Friday with high temperatures in the middle to upper 90s expected from Washington, DC, to Boston. These temperatures are up to 10 degrees higher than the typical hottest conditions for this time of year and could challenge the high temperature record for the day in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. The heat index will reach or surpass 100 degrees for many major metros: Washington, DC, and Philadelphia will feel more like 105 degrees Friday afternoon and Baltimore will feel nearly 110 degrees at times. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and lasting longer as the world warms due to fossil fuel-driven climate change. More than 60 million people in the eastern half of the US are under at least a Level 3 of 4 'major' heat risk on Thursday, with that total jumping to more than 90 million on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat this severe impacts anyone without access to effective cooling or proper hydration, not just vulnerable populations, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And for those without air conditioning, staying indoors can become deadly during the hottest parts of the day, the agency warns. Humid conditions will also prevent temperatures from cooling significantly overnight. It could still be close to 80 degrees in Washington, DC, by sunrise Saturday — nearly 10 degrees higher than a typical low for late July. When overnight temperatures don't cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, people are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs. Climate change is making this week's heat wave at least three times more likely for nearly 160 million people, almost half the US population, when compared with a world without fossil fuel emissions, according to an analysis from the climate research nonprofit Climate Central. The heat dome will shrink Saturday, replaced by more typical, though still very toasty, late July conditions parts of the Northeast and Midwest. Sweltering heat will persist through the weekend, mainly in southern parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Saturday and in portions of the Southeast Sunday. That general trend of a hotter-than-normal South is expected to continue through next week, according to the latest Climate Prediction Center forecasts. CNN Meteorologist Briana Waxman and CNN's Luke Snyder contributed to this report.