Protecting Your Garden in the Heat

Keep your plants mulched and keep the mulch replenished in the heat. You can use leaves or grass clippings. When using fresh clippings, apply a thin layer and let dry for a few days before adding more.

Water Deeply. Irrigate the soil deeply and infrequently rather wasting your water by using a sprinkler. Apply enough water to wet a sandy soil 1 foot deep and a clay soil 6 to 8 inches deep. This requires about 1 inch of rain or sprinkler irrigation. You need to be careful though because overwatering can be equally devastating, especially when drainage is poor. Poorly drained, soggy soil conditions combined with hot weather can wipe out a plant in a matter of days.

To help your lawn out in the Summer raise your lawn mower blade up at least 2.5 to 3 inches high - otherwise you'll thin the grass out or damage the roots. If you don't already have one, get a mulching lawn mower. If you have clay soil, keep an eye on it when watering so you don't end up with run-off watering the patio or sidewalk instead of your lawn!

Good luck!