Gardening in the Late Summer Heat Wave

This time of year, the days are beginning to get a bit shorter, but we’re experiencing the hottest temperatures of the year. So many plants and trees (and animals) outside are struggling. Being a gardener in Central Texas means helping your plants stay alive during the heat. I prefer hand watering at this time of year over hose-end or automatic sprinklers because you’re able to direct much more water to the plants that really need it instead of putting water out over the entire landscape. Whichever method you choose, prioritize watering in the early morning before the heat sets in, or late in the evening after the hottest part of the day.

Besides watering, now is the time to let the garden rest. Don’t do much besides watering. It’s not a great time to establish new plants or trees because of the extreme heat and dry conditions. It’s also best to hold off on any pruning until mid-winter when plants and trees are dormant since any pruning now would add to plant stress and could cause the plant to put out new tender growth before the winter.

Spend any length of time outside in the heat, and you'll quickly feel thirsty. So if you have a bird bath or shallow containers for frogs, salamanders, and other critters, be sure to fill them with fresh water daily. Home landscapes provide an important source of water for our wild friends to survive this time of year.

One other note, you might notice a plant or tree that isn’t in your yard or landscape that is struggling. I’m an advocate for helping out when you can. I’ve often emptied my reusable water bottle on a walk or bike ride to help a plant in need. That little bit of water could help make the difference!

Hang in there, make sure your pets have shade and water, stay hydrated, and share the love with your plants, too!