That’s what the temperature hit in Sydney today – 114.4F – the hottest day ever recorded. As you walked outside the heat hit you violently and even the grass was too hot to walk on.
I watered the garden deeply in the morning, yet at lunchtime many of my plants looked like they had given up.
The new growth on the citrus was frizzled
The silverbeet had melted
And the daikon was suffering.
I hope there is no lasting damage. A friend of mine in the mountains (where it was 46.5C/115.7F) lost a number of plants today, but i’m hoping mine will pull through.
Luckily we were safely in the air conditioned house, but I really feel for those (particularly sick and elderly people) with no way to keep cool.
Last summer we had only two days over 30 degrees. The difference this year is staggering, and much more like the years I remember from my childhood, although with more extremes.
I hope all the other Sydney gardeners coped OK today and that the weather in other parts of the world has been kinder.
500m2 in Sydney 
That is HOT. I remember being in Arizona in the desert once and it was over 110F. You could barely breath with it so hot.
It’s just so hard to describe, even with the pictures. Definitely the hottest day I have ever experienced in my life.
That kind of heat is mind boggling, I’ve never experienced it, over 100° yes, but not that hot. Your poor garden, out there totally exposed. 😦 Is there any way you can shade some of it, perhaps with a patio umbrella, that’s what I have done on the very rare occaisons when we’ve had temperatures approaching 100°. It does help some of the most vulnerable plants get through it.
I hate to say it, but we are having weather that is about as perfect as it can get at this time of year – sunny, brilliant skies, about 70°, and no wind. Monterey Bay was like glass yesterday and the sea otters were lounging in the kelp loving it.
I really should have thought of that Michelle. I do have a shade sail that I rarely roll out that could have protected my avocado trees. Unfortunately they were severely burnt 😦
I’m glad for you that your weather has been good – Monterey Bay is just so lovely.
I’m sure the heat killed a few of the things in my pots yesterday. The garlic chives, thyme and the chillies however, seem to be unkillable at the moment.
Crazy wasn’t it. It was (only) 41 here yesterday, but it is still shockingly tough on the plants especially after weeks over 35. My parsley is passed it and so are my tomatoes. Chillies are fine though and the constant heat is ripening them very well. This has been a crazy summer. Stay cool.
Seems sad that it’s too hot for tomatoes, but mine are pretty much cactus too. I harvested a monster load of parsley last night for tabouli before it goes to seed.
i am reclaiming my garden and was pleased that the heat was followed by some rain – made pulling weeds easier – but yesterday was something else – i worked in the shade of a big tree so thought i was ok – but the hot wind got me ! am harvesting my first tomato tomorrow #: ) these are in pots – the garden beds are a shame job – but progress is being made – there is hope
Wow! We’ve had a couple of 40+ days here in Melbourne but 45.8 is just craziness. Looks like the plants have held up pretty well given the circumstances. Hope it cools down for you and the plants.
My plants don’t seem to have suffered at all! I suppose the weak ones died while I was away! 😛
I’m pretty impressed, despite the temperatures outside, the thermometer inside never got above 31°C and that’s without aircon! I really didn’t notice that it was that hot at all!
Your roller shutters seem to work really well. Perhaps I should ship my pots over to your place next time – so nice of you to offer ;P
In my fairly foolish youth I went to the Sahara in summer. There the temps topped 50 on occasion but it was dry heat. 46 with Sydney’s humidity must be pretty amazing.
It felt sticky, but the BOM said the humidity was low, so I think you may have me there – 50 degrees is insane!
We covered the whole garden or most of it with green shadecloth a few weeks before the heat wave..Supported by big 8 foot posts it seemed to cut the temperature under by at least 10 degrees and at least 3 lots of water during the day and most things survived – from Sydney’s west. Heat helped my late Bean planting.
This recent cool change though is so nice. Out come all the winter doonas lol