Hot summer sun can scorch plant leaves, cause stems to wilt, and leave garden soil bone dry. Knowing how to water your plants correctly in summer is just one way to help your garden withstand the heat.

As you’ll see below, there are lots of other hot summer gardening tips to keep your plants lush no matter what this summer brings and make garden maintenance easier too.

Choose the Right Plants

If you’re starting a new garden and want to make it as heat-proof as possible, pay close attention to the plants you grow from the very start.

“Choose plants that fit the environment in your yard and that are known to be more drought-tolerant,” says plant expert Sharon Yiesla. “Plants that are adapted to their growing site will be able to tolerate drought and heat better.”

Plants that are native to your local growing region are generally the most drought-tolerant plants you can grow since they’re accustomed to local climate and rainfall patterns.

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Plan for Afternoon Shade

Some plants prefer to grow in full or partly shaded locations in any climate. But even sun-loving plants can benefit from a little light afternoon shade in regions that experience super-hot summers.

“Plant perennials near large shrubs or small trees that can shade them in the afternoon,” Yiesla says.

Alternatively, you can grow plants near arbors, trellises, and buildings that provide limited shade during the hottest part of the day while allowing your plants to receive enough light.

If you’re picky about where you locate your garden, you can eliminate the need for shade cloth later on, and ensure your plants don’t get sun-bleached, burnt, or wilted when temperatures climb.

Water Deeply

All plants, even drought-tolerant ones, need to be watered during dry, hot weather; the trick is getting water to saturate deep into the soil so plants have enough time to absorb it.

“Plants really need to be watered thoroughly, not more often,” Yiesla says. “When watering, do it long enough to moisten the soil to a depth of 5 to 6-inches. Then, don’t water again until the top 1 to 2-inches of soil is dry.”

Many gardeners hand-water plants with a garden hose during summer to make sure the ground is nice and saturated. If you want to make deep watering even easier and faster, consider installing a drip irrigation system or soaker hose.

Opt for Morning Watering

Aside from deep watering, you can also help plants absorb water better by watering your garden in the morning before the sun is high overhead. Irrigating at this time gives plants more time to dry off before evening, and is one of the best ways to avoid issues like powdery mildew.

Check the Soil

Just because plants are wilting doesn’t necessarily mean they need water. Sometimes plants will wilt when their leaves get a bit dry, but the roots and the soil remain soggy. If you water again when this occurs, you may accidentally overwater your plants and cause issues like root rot.

To avoid this, Yiesla recommends watering based on soil conditions and weather, rather than following a strict watering schedule.

“When the top 1 or 2-inches of soil is dry, it’s time to water,” she says.

Add Mulch

Beyond watering, spreading a 1 to 3-inch layer of mulch around your plants and garden can help plants withstand heat and slash the amount of watering you need to do.

“Mulch acts like insulation and can keep soil temperatures cooler,” Yiesla says. “It also reduces evaporation.”

Install a Shade Cloth

Planting short plants under taller ones can provide shade to sun sensitive ornamentals and edibles. But if high heat strikes an established garden, you can protect veggies, herbs, and flowers with a shade cloth to cover your beds.

In a pinch, you can also shelter plants under an old beach umbrella or bed sheets secured to wooden garden stakes.

Skip the Fertilizer

Many plants grow better when they’re fertilized from spring through early fall, but it’s best to avoid fertilizing your garden during the peak of summer heat as it can do more harm than good.

“Plants slow down during heat and can’t really utilize the fertilizer,” says Yiesla. “If the soil is dry, the fertilizer may damage roots.”

You can still fertilize plants during hot summers if needed, just use an organic liquid plant fertilizer and dilute it with water to 1/2 or 1/4 strength.