Gardening Through the Summer Heat

Gardening Through the Summer Heat

by Rebecca Kay Bright

Watering is one of those daily rituals in gardening that we usually don’t think twice about. There’s something satisfying about watching our plants perk up after a good soak. But it becomes a real challenge when temperatures hit 100°F and beyond (with heat indexes soaring to 110 to 120°F). It’s tough not just for us, but for our plants too.

When it gets that hot, even heat-loving plants begin to struggle, and keeping up with watering can feel overwhelming. I have the materials for a drip irrigation system, but between working full-time, managing chronic illness fatigue, and just trying to stay cool, I didn’t get it set up before the worst of the heat hit. On top of that, a leak in my well water hookup threw a wrench in my plans, making it harder to keep my potted trees (olive, fig, papaya), raised beds, and container plants watered the way I wanted.

This year, I’m planning ahead. I’m grouping my plants closer together and getting the drip irrigation system installed as soon as the last freeze is behind us. I won’t have to scramble when the heat kicks in.

Another method I’m excited to try is ollas, a traditional irrigation technique that dates back more than 2,000 years. Ollas (pronounced oy-yahs) are unglazed clay pots buried in the soil with just their necks exposed. You fill them with water, and because the clay is porous, it slowly seeps into the surrounding soil. The beauty of this method is that it delivers water directly to the roots, exactly where it's needed, and only when the soil dries out. That means no surface runoff, evaporation loss, or wasted water.

Ollas are incredibly useful in hot, dry climates. They’re ideal for raised beds, in-ground gardens, and large containers. Since the water is delivered below the surface, it doesn’t attract weeds or mosquitoes like overhead watering cans. They’re also more efficient and far less time-consuming, especially when you combine them with mulch to reduce surface evaporation.

You can find premade ollas online and in some garden centers. I’m planning to try this set on Amazon, which is affordable and comes in singles or sets of four. I don’t love shopping on Amazon because of its labor practices. Still, I haven’t yet found another retailer offering a better worker model with the same reliability, accessibility, and fast delivery. This particular set makes it easy to experiment with the method before committing to a larger investment.

If you're more of a DIY type, you can also make your own ollas at home with just a few basic supplies.

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DIY Olla Tutorial

Budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and highly effective

Here’s a quick, visual step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own olla at home using simple terra cotta pots and sealant. It’s easy, affordable, and perfect for beginners:

📽️ Watch the DIY tutorial: How to Make an Olla (Short Video)

What You’ll Need:

• Two unglazed terra cotta pots (same size, usually 6–10 inches)

• One terra cotta saucer or ceramic tile to use as a lid

• Outdoor-safe silicone or waterproof adhesive (like Gorilla Glue)

• Optional: Cork or plug to seal the drainage hole

Quick Steps:

1. Seal the drainage hole in one pot using silicone or a rubber stopper.

2. Apply a ring of waterproof adhesive around the rim and press the second pot on top, inverted, to form a chamber.

3. Let the adhesive cure completely (usually 24 hours).

4. Bury the olla in your garden or container, leaving the top exposed.

5. Fill it with water and place a lid on top to prevent mosquitoes and debris.

Once in place, your DIY olla will keep roots moist for days, saving you time and water. For best results, place them about 18–24 inches apart in beds or use one per large container.

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I plan to make watering easier and more sustainable this summer with drip irrigation and ollas. Heat waves can take a toll, but a little planning now makes a big difference later. It’s all about working smarter and helping your plants thrive—even when the forecast looks brutal.

Here’s to resilient gardens, innovative solutions, and staying cool through another summer in the sun.

References:
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Ollas: An ancient technique for modern gardens. Retrieved from https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/ollas.html