How to Garden During a Heat Wave

Plants like it hot, but periods of super-high temps can put a damper on any garden plans.

Long spells of endless sunshine might seem like your garden's idea of a good time, but, like most things in life, moderation is key—even for plants. Don't worry, you can help prevent heat-stressed plants and keep your own cool, too. So, put on a wide-brimmed hat, grab your water bottle, and help your greenery stay, well, green!

Here's how to handle it when Mother Nature shows up with high temps and just won't leave:

Protect plants from too much sun by providing shade and removing other stressors.
Start with rich, quality soil, then add a proper feeding routine.
Water plants whenever the top inch of soil is dry.
Stop opportunistic weeds and pests.

1. Protect Plants from Too Much Sun.

Intense UV rays can break down chlorophyll (the stuff that makes plants green). So if they're overexposed to the sun, their foliage may end up faded, scorched, or dry and brittle. In other words, sunburns can happen to plants, too. How to protect plants from the sun:

Shade plants by moving or covering them. Move container plants that typically bask in direct sunlight to cooler, shaded locales in the afternoon hours. Use lightweight covers to help protect your raised beds or in-ground gardens from hot, drying winds. Improvise with umbrellas, bedsheets, or any DIY solution that will still let air circulate around your plants. Pro tip: Use materials that are light in color because they don't absorb as much heat.

Lower your plant's stress levels. Deadhead spent blooms and remove damaged fruit from vegetable plants so they have more energy for staying healthy. Hold off on removing burned leaves unless you see signs of pests or disease, as they can help shade your plant.

Don't plant anything new. Avoid planting anything new in unusually hot, dry weather. Plants thrive best when they have time to establish and store nutrients before stressors like heat arrive. Most plants won't survive being freshly planted in extreme heat, and those that do won't be very healthy or strong. Adding competition for water and nutrient resources may stress out your other plants, too.

2. Keep the Soil Moist and Rich.

The soil your plants are settled into holds the nutrients, moisture, and air they need to grow up strong. If that earthy goodness becomes dry and depleted, there's nothing for roots to absorb and deliver to the rest of your plant. Yikes!

How to give them a boost:

Start with good soil or potting mix. Make sure you use a great quality soil from the start for the best defense against extreme heat. Fill raised bed gardens with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed Soil & Garden Soil or work a 3-inch layer into the top 6 inches of in-ground gardens. For container plants, use Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix. Both will help maintain just the right amount of nutrients and moisture no matter the weather.

Adjust your feeding schedule. When temperatures rise, your plants may need a temporary break from feeding. While consistent nutrition is key to healthy growth, applying plant food during periods of extreme heat can be stressful for plants. Heat-stressed plants prioritize water uptake over nutrient absorption, and some may even go dormant. Before extreme heat and drought arrive, prepare your plants by feeding them regularly with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food (following all label directions). That way they’ll be healthy and strong so they can tolerate the adverse weather, and once the weather improves, resume your normal feeding schedule.

3. Water Thirsty Plants.

Your garden will dry out more quickly in hot conditions, especially in high winds, so keep them hydrated. Water is needed for plants to take up nutrients from the soil and harvest sunlight to turn into energy. As thirsty as your plants may be, though, always follow any local water restrictions if there's a drought. Pro tip: To prepare for periods of drought, harvest rainwater in the wetter months so you'll have water available for your plants no matter what.

How to quench your plants' thirst:

Give ‘em a long drink. Your plants will be thirstier than usual. As long as there isn't a shortage, give them extra water if they need it. You may need to water daily or even a couple of times a day to keep your plants hydrated in extreme drought, where local water restrictions are not in place. Here's how to tell when your plants need water:
Check for wilting: You can usually tell when your plants want more to drink by their wilted appearance. Don't be fooled, though: wilting can have other causes like diseases.
Check the soil: The best way to tell if your plants need water is to check the soil. Always test your soil before watering by sticking your finger down straight down into it, a few inches away from plant stems. If the top inch of soil feels dry, you need to water.
Don't forget container plants: The soil in containers dries out more quickly than in-ground or raised bed plantings, so pay special attention to your potted plants.

Be smart about water. Drip irrigation and timers make it easy to efficiently moisten and cool the soil, providing a slow and steady water source for heat-stressed plants. If you water by hand, direct the water around the base of your plants. Keep going until you see puddles begin to form on the soil surface, then stop, wait an hour, and repeat to get soil thoroughly moist.

Retain moisture with mulch. When spread 3 inches deep, a layer of mulch, such as Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch, helps keep the soil at a steady, cooler temp, and also helps soil retain moisture. Remember to keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems and foliage. Mulch also helps block sunlight, reducing the chance that water- and nutrient-draining weeds will pop up.

4. Stop Opportunistic Weeds and Pests.

Heat-stressed plants have a harder time competing with weeds and fighting off non-beneficial bugs. They're already putting so much energy into protecting themselves from heat and sun that they're too tired to fight off the bad guys.

How to give ‘em a helping hand:

Keep an eye on weeds. If given the chance, weeds will steal water and nutrients from your soil. Don't make your plants compete, especially in hot, dry weather! Remove weeds frequently, including any roots, so they don't take over.

Watch out for insects. Heat- and drought-stressed plants are sometimes too feeble to fight off bad guys like mites, aphids, caterpillars, and other harmful insects. Of course, garden pests aren't bothered at all by hot, dry weather. Keep them at bay by plucking bigger pests off with your hands, hitting smaller ones with a blast of water, or spraying them with insecticidal soap, following label directions.

Once the weather's back to normal, pick up where you left off with your usual gardening routine. You may not get a bumper crop of big, juicy tomatoes or as many beautiful flowers as you would in other growing seasons, but you can still enjoy the pleasure of nurturing a garden.