“That’s it! I’m done with it!” I’ve heard it, or variations of it, multiple times over the last three days. With almost half of the United States under heat warnings or advisories, the drive of many gardeners is withering as quickly as their beloved gardens. Oppressing heat and record temperatures are making it difficult at best to get the garden chores done.

If gardens survive the heat, they may be in danger for high winds and hailstorms. For many states, temperatures and extended heat waves are breaking records, but thunderstorms threaten parts of the east coast as well as the northern Plains. It’s not the ideal gardening weather for sure. If you have any respiratory problems, air quality alerts are in effect for six states.

This week, in many parts of the Midwest, the heat index is expected to be between 110 and 115 degrees. The heat index is an estimation of how hot the body feels and takes humidity into account.

The extreme temperatures are can be incredibly dangerous. Heat exhaustion or other heat disorders can develop if the body heats up too quickly and in unable to cool off safely or if a person doesn’t stay properly hydrated. Heat can have a cumulative effect, meaning that several days of being too warm can overwhelm you. Symptoms to watch for include heavy sweating as well as a sudden cease in sweating, pale and “clammy’ skin, shallow breathing, weak pulse, nausea, vomiting, headache, and disorientation. People are being advised to stay in a climate controlled environment during the hottest part of the day.

So when is the best time to tend the family garden? The middle of the day is off limits- unless you want to end up in a hospital on an IV drip. It’s still very hot at dusk (not to mention the mosquitoes are out). That leaves us with gardening at dawn. Many experts recommend early morning as the best time to garden anyway. You can safely water the plants without worrying that the moisture will exacerbate any mildew conditions overnight. The stinging insects are less likely to be up and active. Dawn is a safer time to do any spraying for control of harmful bugs, because the bees aren’t actively pollinating yet, so you have less of a chance of spraying or injuring them. From my own observations, the only thing you might have to watch out for is snakes. So keep your eyes open.

Even gardening early in the morning can be a risk. I get up at dawn and lately our temperatures have still been in the lower 80s with a high level of humidity. If there is no breeze going, it gets very warm very quickly. In extreme heat, experts all agree on the same advice. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink lots of water. Stay away from caffeinated, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks. Consider letting someone know where you are and what you are doing, just in case heat overcomes you unexpectedly. It is possible to provide some protection for your garden plants as well, but remember that your health is more important. Be smart, be safe, and take the necessary precautions.