It’s no news that summers are hot, but the 2025 summer was predicted to turn the heat up a little, and it didn’t disappoint. With the sun coming out to play hard, everyone is talking about the heat, and if you have a garden, you’re likely wondering if it’s time to install a roof with misters over your beloved petunias. Although plants need sunlight to grow, too much heat may be harmful even for resilient plants like eggplants. When your backyard feels like an oven set on broil, your plants aren’t out there building character; they’re struggling to stay alive. Leaves are wilting, blossoms dropping, and the soil feels more like sandbox dust than anything that ever supported life. It’s frustrating, but the good news is you can protect your garden from becoming toasted. Here’s how to help your garden weather the heat without falling apart like a forgotten Fourth of July popsicle.
1. Water Deeply and Early
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During extreme heat, shallow watering is practically an insult to your plants. The topsoil dries out quickly, and any water you give evaporates before the roots can use it. Rather than make daily sprinkles, give your garden a long soak every few days. That way, the water gets down to the roots and doesn’t become vapor in a few minutes. Deep watering trains plants to reach lower, cooler soil, making them more resilient in the long run. If you’ve got the setup, now’s the time to put those slow-drip systems to work. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses deliver water directly to the base of plants where it counts
2. Mulch But Pull Up That Black Plastic
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A thick layer of mulch is your garden’s first line of defense against scorching temperatures. Mulch keeps the soil cool, locks in moisture, and acts like a barrier between the sun and your plant’s roots. Organic options like shredded bark, straw, or dried grass clippings (organic if on your vegetables) work well. They may also improve the soil as they break down. Aim for at least two inches, maybe more, around heat-sensitive plants like lettuce or spinach. If you have used black plastic, that’s a different case; you may need to consider pulling it back. Black plastic mulch is great in cooler seasons, but it turns into a skillet during a heat wave. If you’ve got it down, remove it or cover it with straw, newspaper, or fabric mulch to soften the impact. Otherwise, your roots might roast under there like potatoes on a campfire.
3. Set Up Shade Where You Can
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When the heat spikes, some plants appreciate a break from the sun. Shade cloth, old sheets, or garden netting stretched over a simple frame can shield delicate crops from direct exposure. It doesn’t have to look pretty; even something propped up with bamboo sticks will do the job. Focus on plants with shallow roots or tender leaves. Tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens often benefit from a little relief in the afternoon. A little shade will create a temporary summer awning until things cool off.
4. Relocate Pots to Cooler Spots
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Container plants suffer more in heat because their soil heats up faster and dries out quicker than in-ground beds. If your potted plants are sunbathing all day on the patio, consider moving them to a shadier area, like under a tree or next to a fence that blocks the harshest sun. You don’t have to babysit them indoors; just keep them from cooking in place. If you relocate them to the house, remember to water them and not place them in direct sunlight. The sun may still scorch them through the open kitchen window.
5. Skip the Fertilizer This Week
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When the weather’s extreme, plants go into survival mode. Feeding them during this time is like offering a three-course meal to someone who’s got heat stroke. Fertilizer pushes growth, but stressed plants can’t handle that pressure. Hold off until the heat wave passes. You’ll reduce the risk of burning their roots and give them space to recover on their own terms.
6. Let the Pruners Take a Break
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Pruning during a heat wave isn’t smart if you aim to keep your plants from dying. Every cut you make is an injury your plant has to heal; right now, it doesn’t have the energy for that. Leave the pruning shears alone unless you’re removing something clearly dead or damaged. Let your plants focus on surviving instead of recovering. When you prune, a part of the plant is exposed to the sun, which can cause sunburn.
7. Group Plants with Similar Needs
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If your garden is a mix of sun-worshippers and shade-lovers, don’t treat them all the same. Grouping plants by water and light makes caring for them easier during heat waves. This is called hydro-zoning, and may be helpful even after the heat wave passes. You won’t have to overwater the drought-tolerant herbs to keep the lettuce happy, or vice versa. Organization isn’t just for the pantry. Gardening with some low-key OCD will save you stress and dead plants later.
8. Let the Lawn Coast for a While
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The lawn is part of your garden, and during a heat wave, the best thing you can do for your lawn is to leave it alone. Grass naturally slows its growth and may turn brown to conserve energy. This is a normal survival response, not a sign that it’s dying. Mowing too frequently or too short stresses the grass and exposes the soil to direct sunlight, causing it to dry out faster. Raise your mower blades to the highest setting and avoid cutting unless it’s absolutely necessary. Resist the urge to water every day. Deep, infrequent watering is more effective and encourages stronger roots that can withstand the heat. Once cooler temperatures return, most established lawns recover on their own.
9. Add Wind Protection If Needed
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In some regions, heat waves bring high temperatures and strong, dry winds that worsen things. These winds pull moisture from the soil and the plants themselves, causing leaves to wilt faster and soil to dry out almost as soon as it’s watered. Setting up a simple windbreak can make a big difference if your garden sits in an open, windy area. Use fencing, trellises with climbing plants, fabric screens, or stacked garden furniture to block or slow the wind. Protecting your plants from hot gusts will help retain soil moisture. The hot wind may also cause sunscald and leaf damage; a protective shield is needed.
10. Harvest What’s Ready
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Don’t wait for your zucchini to double in size — if it’s ready, pick it. Heat can speed up ripening, but it also increases the risk of overripening and spoilage. The same goes for fruits that might split in high temperatures. Bring in whatever’s mature, and you’ll have fewer losses to mourn.
Leaving ripe produce on the plant during extreme heat can interrupt its ability to regulate itself. It continues to send energy and moisture toward crops that may not survive another day of sun exposure. Regular harvesting helps redirect that energy toward keeping the plant stable. It also gives you more control over the quality of your produce, instead of letting the heat decide when things are done.
11. Monitor the Forecast, Not Just the Thermometer
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A sudden jump in temperature can damage plants quickly, and if you’re not checking the forecast regularly, it can catch you off guard. Set alerts if you have to. Knowing that a 104-degree spike is coming gives you a chance to prepare: water ahead of time, add shade, and give your plants a fighting chance.
12. Do Not Disturb the Soil
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During a heat wave, it’s best to leave the soil alone. Digging, turning, or weeding aggressively exposes the cooler, moist layers underneath to direct sunlight and air, which speeds up evaporation and raises soil temperature. It also disrupts the network of roots and microbes that help your plants survive under stress. Even routine tasks like hoeing between rows should be avoided. If something needs to be removed, snip it at the base rather than pulling it out. The less disruption, the better the soil retains moisture and stays insulated.
13. Hold Off on Planting or Transplanting Anything New
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This may be obvious, but a heat wave is not the time to start anything fresh in the garden. New seeds and transplants need consistent moisture and mild conditions to take root — two things a heat wave can’t offer. High temperatures dry out the soil quickly, making it harder for seeds to germinate and for young roots to settle in. Even a few hours of intense sun can dry out a freshly planted bed before you can water again. If you plan to add new crops, wait until the weather stabilizes. You’ll get better results and waste fewer resources.
14. Avoid Dark-Colored Containers
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Dark-colored pots absorb and hold heat, turning the root zone into a hotbox during extreme weather. Even if you water regularly, this can quickly lead to root damage, stunted growth, and dry soil. If you’re growing in black, navy, or deep green containers, wrap them in light-colored fabric and place them inside larger light pots or shade them with boards or cardboard. Choosing lighter-colored containers or modifying what you have helps reflect heat instead of trapping it, giving your plants a better chance to stay cool below the surface.
Learn and Move On
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Even with your best efforts, some plants might not make it. You haven’t failed, you’re gardening in a heat wave. Heat waves are hard on everything, including people. Let go of the guilt, compost what didn’t make it, and learn what worked (and maybe take note of it in a garden planner). Next time around, you’ll be even better prepared.