Steve’s Garden: Smoky days may actually help your plants during hot stretches

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- After another hot weekend, Steve's Garden was in desperate need of some water.

Wildfire smoke that has come into the region is causing smoke and haze to settle over the garden, bringing some relief as it lowers temperatures a little.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources center says the smoke can actually help by increasing carbon dioxide in the area. Plants can take the carbon dioxide and use it in photosynthesis to feed themselves.

"If the plant has an ample supply of water and there is enough sunlight shining through the smoke for the plant to use the extra carbon dioxide, the plant can produce more food for itself," the center says.

Because this particular haze is coming from so far away, no ash or other particles should be on the plants. But if they are, simply rinse the crops off like normal.

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