Summer Survival Guide for Plants: Adapting to Severe Summer Conditions
Thriving Summer Gardens: A Guide to Heat, Drought, and Pest Resistance
In the heart of summer, maintaining a flourishing garden can be a challenge. However, with the right plant choices and care techniques, your garden can thrive even under heat, drought, and pest stress. Regina Fischer, a plant expert from the Industrial Association for Agriculture (IVA), recommends focusing on robust plants and appropriate garden care practices.
Choose Heat- and Drought-Tolerant Plants
Opt for naturally resilient species such as yarrow, mountain mint, and coneflowers. These plants thrive in full sun, require minimal watering and maintenance, and are often pest-resistant. They are well-adapted to dry spells[1][3].
Provide Shade During Peak Heat
Protect vulnerable plants from sunburn and heat stress by using shade cloths, umbrellas, or strategically placed taller plants[2].
Improve Soil Health
Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to enhance water retention and nutrient availability. Use soil amendments such as perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage and reduce compaction, essential for root health under heat stress[2].
Mulch Generously
Apply mulch generously (2-3 inches) around plants, using organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or shredded bark. Mulching conserves soil moisture, regulates temperature, suppresses weeds, and adds nutrients as it decomposes. Keep mulch a few inches away from stems to prevent rot and replenish mulch as it breaks down[2][4].
Water Deeply and Infrequently
Water deeply and infrequently, preferably early morning or evening, targeting the soil at the plant base rather than the foliage. Deep watering encourages stronger root systems and reduces disease risk. Container plants need more frequent watering during extreme heat[4].
Manage Pests Naturally
Select pest-resistant varieties and encourage beneficial pollinators. Healthy plants grown in optimal conditions are less vulnerable to insect damage[1].
The IVA also advises collecting and using water wisely in gardens. Leaves or grass clippings can be used as ground covers for soil protection. Enriching the soil with humus and loosening it improves the plants' nutrient supply. The best time for watering is in the early morning hours when the soil is still cool[5].
When it comes to watering, aim for 10 to 20 liters per square meter, and water less frequently but more intensively. Water collected in cisterns or rain barrels is suitable for prolonged dry periods. Winter-hardy bulb plants and garden purslane thrive on nutrient-poor soils[6].
Globe thistle, blue-flowering stonecrop, catmint, carthusian pink, and wall pepper are examples of robust flowering plants that can withstand intense sun and little water[7]. By combining robust plant choices with careful shading, soil management, mulching, and watering practices, you can help your summer garden thrive despite heat, drought, and pests.
[1] Plant Hardiness for Heat and Drought Tolerance
[2] Creating a Drought-Tolerant Garden
[3] Heat-Tolerant Plants for a Drought-Resistant Garden
[4] Watering Your Garden During a Drought
[5] Watering Your Garden: Tips and Techniques
[6] Plants That Thrive in Nutrient-Poor Soil
[7] Sun-Loving Plants for a Hot Garden
- For a home-and-garden lifestyle that can endure heat, drought, and pest stress, consider choosing heat- and drought-tolerant plants such as yarrow, mountain mint, and coneflowers.
- To protect your garden from sunburn and heat stress, provide shade during peak heat by using shade cloths, umbrellas, or strategically placed taller plants.
