When the heat wave hits, your garden needs a little extra TLC to survive – and thrive! Follow the tips below for Summer garden care during a heat wave!

💧 Watering

1. Water in the early morning or evening: Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day to minimize evaporation and prevent scorching leaves.

2. Water deeply but infrequently: Encourage deep root growth by watering your plants thoroughly, then waiting a few days before watering again.
We currently use these soaker hoses. We have used Linex soaker hoses of various lengths for years, and they really hold up to the hot summers and store easily. We recommend completely draining them before storage, preferably laying them stretched out and unhooked (and unplugged) to dry for about a week if you have the room. This will prevent any moisture issues through the winter. In the spring, after hooking up, we uncap the end and let the hose run for a minute to flush any debris that might have gotten in the hose the previous year. You can also do this throughout the growing season if you suspect dirt or debris made its way into the opening. We don’t run hoses longer than 125′ in a single run due to our water pressure not being able to evenly water the whole line (cold water tank on a well).

4. No access to water in a certain part of your garden? Check out here how we came up with a solution to water one of our pollinator patches!

3. Use mulch: Mulch or straw helps retain moisture in the soil and reduces evaporation.

☀️ Shade and Protection

1. Provide shade for sensitive plants: Use umbrellas, canopies, or shade cloth to protect plants from intense sunlight.

2. Use row covers: Lightweight row covers can protect plants from heat and sun damage.

🪨 Soil Care

1. Add organic matter: Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve its water-holding capacity.

2. Avoid over-fertilizing: High temperatures can cause fertilizer to burn plant roots, so wait until the heat wave passes to fertilize.

🌱 Plant Care

1. Deadhead flowers: Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowering and reduce plant stress.

2. Prune or trim plants: Remove weak or damaged growth to promote healthy growth and reduce water loss. Visit my Epic Gardening store front to see my favorite snips I like to use.

3. Monitor plant health: Watch for signs of heat stress, such as wilting, yellowing, or scorching.

Other Tips

1. Avoid working in the garden during the hottest part of the day: Take frequent short breaks, work in the garden during cooler times, and stay hydrated.

2. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses make your life easier: These systems deliver water directly to the roots, reducing evaporation and runoff and means less manual watering for you to have to do (other than run the hose to it and set a timer).

3. Keep an eye on soil moisture: Check the soil regularly to ensure it’s not too dry or waterlogged.

By following these tips, you can help your garden survive a heat wave and thrive when the weather cools down!

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