When the temperature soars and your garden starts to wilt, it’s easy to feel like all your hard work is baking in the sun. But don’t throw in the trowel just yet! With a few smart moves, you can help your plants beat the heat and keep your garden lush—even during the worst heatwave.
From timing your watering just right to shielding delicate blooms, here are 15 easy steps to protect your green space. Plus, don’t miss the 3 common mistakes that could undo all your effort.
1. Water Deeply Instead of Frequently
Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward, making plants more resilient during hot weather. Soak the soil thoroughly once or twice weekly rather than sprinkling daily.
Plants with deep roots can access moisture from lower soil levels when the surface dries out. This method also saves water compared to frequent shallow watering that mostly evaporates in the heat.
2. Add Mulch to Retain Moisture
Mulch acts like a protective blanket for your soil, dramatically reducing evaporation and keeping roots cooler. Apply a 2-3 inch layer around plants, leaving space around stems to prevent rot.
Organic options like wood chips, straw, or compost work wonderfully. As a bonus, mulch gradually breaks down to feed your soil and suppresses those pesky weeds that compete for precious water.
3. Water During Early Morning Hours
Morning watering gives plants time to absorb moisture before the day heats up. Between 5-9am is ideal because evaporation rates are lowest and water can soak into the soil effectively.
Evening watering might seem logical, but wet foliage overnight increases disease risk. Morning watering also prepares plants for the day’s heat stress, like drinking water before exercise.
4. Install Drip Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots with minimal waste. These systems can reduce water usage by up to 60% compared to sprinklers while keeping foliage dry to prevent fungal diseases.
Modern kits are surprisingly affordable and easy to install. Connect to a timer, and your garden gets precisely the right amount of water automatically, even when you’re away during the hottest days.
5. Create Shade with Cloth Covers
Shade cloth provides relief for heat-sensitive plants during scorching afternoons. Available in different densities, 30-50% shade works well for most vegetables and flowers without limiting necessary light.
Suspend the cloth above plants using simple frames or stakes. Removable setups allow you to protect plants only during the hottest hours or days, giving them normal light conditions when temperatures moderate.
6. Group Plants by Water Needs
Smart plant grouping creates efficient watering zones in your garden. Place thirsty plants together and drought-tolerant varieties in their own section to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
This practice, called hydrozoning, lets you direct water precisely where needed. You’ll conserve resources while ensuring each plant gets appropriate moisture levels, even during extended hot periods.
7. Apply Compost as Soil Amendment
Compost transforms your soil’s ability to retain moisture during heatwaves. Just a 1-inch layer worked into garden beds increases water-holding capacity dramatically while feeding beneficial microorganisms.
Healthy soil with plenty of organic matter acts like a sponge, holding water where roots can access it. Annual compost applications build long-term drought resistance while improving overall plant health and vigor.
8. Use Self-Watering Containers
Self-watering pots feature built-in water reservoirs that supply moisture gradually as plants need it. The design maintains consistent soil moisture even during hot spells, perfect for patios and balconies.
Plants in these containers develop healthier root systems and require less frequent watering. Fill the reservoir every few days instead of watering daily, making them ideal for busy gardeners during summer heat.
9. Apply Wetting Agents to Dry Soil
Wetting agents break surface tension that causes water to run off dry soil without soaking in. These products are especially helpful for rejuvenating gardens that have already dried out during a heatwave.
Available as granules or liquids, they help water penetrate evenly through the soil profile. One application typically lasts several weeks, making subsequent waterings much more effective at reaching thirsty roots.
10. Harvest Rainwater in Barrels
Rain barrels collect free water from downspouts, providing chemical-free irrigation during dry periods. A single 50-gallon barrel can fill during one good rainfall, supplying days of garden watering.
Plants often respond better to rainwater than treated tap water. The collected water stays at ambient temperature, preventing the shock that cold tap water can cause to warm soil and delicate roots during hot weather.
11. Prune Strategically Before Heat Arrives
Light pruning before heatwaves can help plants conserve energy and water. Remove excess or damaged foliage that demands moisture the plant can’t spare during extreme heat.
Focus on interior branches to improve air circulation without exposing too much to direct sun. Avoid heavy pruning during the heat itself, as this stresses plants further and can leave sensitive areas vulnerable to sunburn.
12. Choose Heat-Tolerant Plant Varieties
Selecting naturally heat-resistant plants creates a more resilient garden. Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and lavender thrive in hot conditions, while native wildflowers have adapted to local climate extremes.
Many vegetable varieties have been bred specifically for heat tolerance. Look for labels mentioning heat resistance when buying seeds or transplants, especially for traditionally cool-season crops like lettuce and spinach.
13. Maintain Consistent Watering Schedule
Steady watering routines prevent stress from moisture fluctuations during heatwaves. Plants adapt better to consistent conditions than to cycles of drought and flooding.
Use timers or reminders to establish a reliable pattern. Consistency matters more than frequency – it’s better to water deeply on the same days each week than to water randomly whenever plants look wilted.
14. Add Wind Protection for Vulnerable Plants
Hot winds accelerate moisture loss from leaves, dramatically increasing water needs. Temporary windbreaks using burlap, lattice, or even strategically placed taller plants can protect vulnerable species.
Wind barriers slow evaporation rates and prevent physical damage to delicate plants. Even a 50% reduction in wind speed can significantly decrease water loss through leaf surfaces during hot, dry periods.
15. Monitor Soil Moisture with Probes
Moisture meters take the guesswork out of watering during heatwaves. These inexpensive tools show exactly what’s happening below the soil surface, where visual inspection can’t reach.
Insert the probe near plant roots to check moisture levels before watering. You’ll often discover that soil remains damp deeper down even when the surface appears dry, preventing overwatering that wastes resources.
16. MISTAKE: Overwatering in Panic
Drowning plants with excessive water during heat doesn’t help and often causes harm. Waterlogged soil suffocates roots by displacing oxygen they need to function, leading to root rot and fungal diseases.
Plants showing wilting during midday heat may simply be conserving moisture temporarily. Check soil moisture before watering – if it’s still damp below the surface, wait and water deeply only when truly needed.
17. MISTAKE: Fertilizing During Extreme Heat
Applying fertilizer during a heatwave can severely damage plants instead of helping them. The nutrients stimulate growth that requires additional water the plant can’t spare in high temperatures.
Fertilizer salts can also burn roots in hot, dry conditions. Wait until the heatwave passes before feeding plants, focusing instead on proper watering and shade during the hot period.
18. MISTAKE: Mowing Grass Too Short
Scalping your lawn during hot weather almost guarantees brown patches. Taller grass shades soil, reducing evaporation and keeping roots cooler during intense heat.
Raise your mower blade to leave grass at 3-4 inches during summer. This height provides natural cooling, encourages deeper root growth, and helps lawns outcompete weeds. Never remove more than one-third of the blade length in a single mowing.