Master Gardener Gretchen Staley says summer-loving veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini cannot tolerate the freezing temperatures. Using cloth material like a blanket or old bed sheet is the best way to go when covering and it's best to avoid using plastic. With a light freeze expected, many hardier veggies and plants will survive - especially those near a building or under a tree.

It's harvest time for many backyard yard crops. Tomatoes are filling the vines and knowing when to pick them to get the best flavors is tricky. Master gardeners say that since they are fruits because they have seeds, they can be picked early and they will still ripen once off the vine. The best time is when the tomato just starts to "blush" in color.

Plants start to struggle at 86 degrees when the balance of water absorption is affected. During the high humidity, you can overwater plants. It's a delicate balance to keep your flowers and plants healthy during these heat waves, especially newly established hanging baskets and planters.