When unusually hot weather is in the forecast, it's time irrigate, shade and mulch plants to protect your plants, reported Sandra Barrera in the Los Angeles Daily News. 

The story was prompted by a heat spike in Southern California recently, when temperatures soared above 110 degrees in many areas.

"While most plants can endure triple-digit temperatures, they suffer when heat comes on suddenly," the article said.

• When a plant is dry, it's already stressed, so give it a good soaking before temperatures...