Gardening Through the Summer Heat

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 when the temperatures hit 100°F+ (with heat indexes soaring to 110-120°F), it becomes a challenge—not just for us but for our plants too.  

When it’s that hot, even the most heat-loving plants 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. Plus, a leak in my well water hookup threw another 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 my drip irrigation system set up as soon as the last freeze is behind us. That way, I won’t have to worry about keeping up when the real heat kicks in.  

Another method I’d love to try is **ollas**—unglazed clay pots buried in the soil that slowly release water to plant roots. They help conserve water, reduce evaporation, and prevent mosquitoes from taking over. With a combination of drip irrigation and ollas, I’m hoping to make watering easier and more efficient this summer.  

When the heat is relentless, a little planning can go a long way in keeping both plants and gardeners happy. Here’s to a season of thriving gardens—even in the triple digits!