The Ultimate Guide to Watering Your Plants in Summer Heat

So the summer heat is fully trying to end my garden's whole career, and I'm not really loving it. I looked outside yesterday to see my tomatoes giving me some major side eye. "Dina," they exclaimed, "what's the water situation?" You know, that's a valid question.

I've probably killed more plants than I can count (RIP to my fiddle-leaf fig circa 2019, you deserved better), but I've finally figured out how to keep my little green pals alive when we get surface-of-the-sun-level heat. Here are my top 5 watering tips that actually work:

1. Become a Morning Person (I Know, I Know)

Look, getting up early goes against everything I stand for as someone who considers 9AM to be morning. Watering early, though, is like giving your plants a head start before the day turns brutal.

When you water early, your plants are able to drink up before the sun starts its daily rounds. If you water during peak heat, most of that water just evaporates faster than your plants can absorb. Plus, wet leaves in hot sun? That's a recipe for some crispy plant drama.

Pro Tip: Set multiple alarms with increasingly desperate names. Mine go from "watering time bestie" to "your plants are judging you" to "get up or they're toast."

2. Deep Drinks Over Frequent Sips

This was a total game changer for me. I used to sprinkle water on my plants every single day like clockwork. Turns out, that's basically training your plants to be drama queens: extra needy and ostentatious.

Instead of daily light watering, go for fewer but deeper watering sessions. Your plants want that deep drink that reaches their roots, not just surface level attention. I water three or four times a week, but I really commit to it until I see they're drinking it up. The goal is just after soaking, but not standing water.

My plants can be just so over-the-top. One second they're wilting and looking sad; the next, perky and thriving. Sometimes the simplest changes make all the difference.

3. Mulch is Your Plant's Best Friend

If you're not mulching, you're basically leaving your plants naked in a heat wave, which is not very cool.

Mulch keeps the moisture locked in and the heat out. I use everything from wood chips to shredded leaves to occasionally those fancy rubber mulches that make my garden look a bit more expensive. Even newspaper works if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.

The best part? There's way less watering overall because the mulch is doing the heavy lifting. I went from watering every day to three or four times a week just by adding a two-inch layer around my plants. It's the laziest way to be better to your garden that I've found. 

4. Group Your Plants by Drama Level

Not all plants are created equal. Some of my plants are akin to a high-maintenance friend who needs constant attention (looking at you, impatiens), while others are super chill and roll with whatever (hello, succulents).

I group my thirsty plants together so I'm not running around my yard like a maniac. My water hungry plants live nearest to my hose reel, while my drought tolerant ones are chilling in the back being much more independent.

Containers and hanging baskets are the most dramatic of all. They cannot access groundwater like planted ones can, so they need some extra love. I check mine daily because they dry out faster than you'd think. Typically, I have to water these the most often in the high temperature heat (which sometimes means daily).

5. The Finger Test Changes Everything

Before you water anything, do the finger test. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it's dry, water away. If it's still moist, your plant is fine and probably judging you for hovering. Don't want to get dirt under your fingernails today? You can always substitute a long skewer or a handheld moisture meter.

I can't begin to tell you how many plants I've killed because I would get anxious and think that more water equaled more love. It's just not how plants work! This simple test has saved me from so many overwatering disasters and has helped me actually understand what my plants need instead of projecting my own issues onto them. (Shout out to my therapist Rachel!)

The Bottom Line

Summer watering doesn't need to be stressful or complicated. Yes, it's hot. Yes, your plants are thirsty. But they're also tougher than you think.

The key is being consistent without being obsessive, going deep instead of staying surface level, and actually paying attention to what your plants are telling you. They're usually pretty good at communicating if you know how to listen. Sometimes they're even extra dramatic and will just go limp. I usually take that as a sign that my plants are yelling at me.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go apologize to my hydrangeas for neglecting it while writing this post. The irony here is real.