How to Care for Your Plants in a Heat Wave in Texas
Gardening in a Heat Wave: Protecting Your Garden from Extreme Heat
If you’ve lived in Texas for any length of time, you know the summer heat is serious business. Across much of the state, triple-digit temperatures and drought-like conditions can stretch on for weeks. It’s not just people feeling the effects—your landscape, lawn, and garden are all under pressure too.
Without smart, sustainable practices, your plants can struggle to survive in extreme Texas heat. But with the right approach, including proper mulching, efficient watering, and heat-tolerant plant choices, you can help your garden thrive, even through the hottest months of the year.
Gardening in a Texas heat wave takes more than just a green thumb, it requires a little extra care, patience, and the right strategies to beat the extreme conditions. But don’t sweat it. At Texas Native, we know Texas soil, we know sustainable gardening, and we’re here to help. With a few smart adjustments, you can keep your garden healthy and thriving, even when temperatures soar in July and August.
Read on for Texas Native's complete guide to gardening in a heat wave, including how heat impacts garden plants, best practices for watering in summer heat, how to protect yourself while working outside in soaring temperatures, and other tips for heat wave gardening without sacrificing the fun or your harvest.
Have questions about summer gardening? Texas Native products can help your garden grow its best. Contact us today by calling (512)259-7430, or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com.
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Understanding How Extreme Heat Impacts Plants
Once temperatures climb above 95 degrees, even the most well-tended garden can start to feel the strain. Many common Texas plants begin to show signs of stress despite consistent watering and attentive care. Understanding how extreme heat impacts your landscape is the first step to protecting it.
In all but the most drought-tolerant plant varieties (which include many species native to Texas), extreme heat can disrupt a crucial natural process called transpiration. Transpiration is essentially the way plants "sweat," drawing water up from the roots and releasing it into the air as water vapor through tiny pores on the leaves and other parts of the plant.
Transpiration helps plants grow in several important ways, including helping them stay cool and transporting nutrients through their stems and leaves. When temperatures soar, however, evaporation of water can begin to outpace the rate of transpiration. This can impact how your plants grow and produce vegetables.
In extreme heat, vegetable plants like tomatoes, peppers, and squash may droop, show signs of wilting, drop their blossoms or stop producing altogether. Leafy greens may wilt quickly, and even established shrubs and large trees can show signs of heat stress during periods of extreme heat and drought.
Heat-sensitive garden plants, especially those that are more suited for cooler climates, often exhibit plant stress faster than more drought-tolerant varieties. Native Texas plant species, succulents, and some herbs do better in extreme heat due to their deep root systems and built-in drought tolerance, but even these can need support during an extended heat wave.
Check out Texas Native's Guide to Native Texas Plants for Your Garden!
Signs Your Plants Are Overheating
Recognizing the early signs of heat stress in plants is key to protecting your garden during extreme Texas heat. By catching symptoms early, you can take action before long-term damage sets in—saving both your plants and your harvest. Common signs of heat stress in Texas gardens include:
Persistent wilting or drooping: Plants that sag during the hottest part of the day and don’t recover by evening are likely suffering from heat stress.
Dry, crispy leaf edges: A clear sign your plants are losing moisture too quickly under intense sun and heat.
Yellowing or dropped leaves: When temperatures rise, plants may shed leaves or show yellowing as a stress response.
Blossom drop: Flowers that should develop into vegetables may fall off prematurely due to extreme heat.
Sunburned or scorched spots: Brown or bleached patches on leaves indicate direct sun damage, especially in unshaded areas.
Slowed growth or reduced yields: Prolonged high temperatures can stall plant growth and limit vegetable production.
How to Properly Water Plants in a Heat Wave
Watering your garden during a heatwave isn't as easy as getting out the hose whenever you feel like it. Watering during the hottest time of the day, for example, can do more harm than good, creating a sort of "steam bath" condition in the garden that can boil tender plants, killing or wilting their leaves in some cases.
Trying to figure out when and how to water your plants in the summer? Texas Native has you covered. Here are the answers to many of the questions we're asked most often about watering a garden in extreme heat.
Should I Water in the Morning or the Afternoon During a Heat Wave?
Watering in the cooler hours of the morning is not only easier on you, it's what's best for plants during a heat wave.
Early watering -- between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. -- gives the moisture a chance to soak deep into the soil before the sun starts to evaporate it, letting the water reach deep roots while keeping the soil moist. Watering in the heat of the afternoon, on the other hand, risks losing much of the water you apply to evaporation before it can reach deep into the soil. It can even cause leaf scorch if droplets sit on the foliage.
Watering around dusk is the second-best option, and also much cooler on gardeners than trying to water in the heat of the day. One caveat, though: evening watering can sometimes increase the risk of fungal infections in the garden, especially in the more humid areas of the state.
How Often Should I Water My Plants During Extreme Heat?
During a heat wave, you'll likely need to water daily if you want your plants to survive and keep producing. That's especially true for vegetable plants, recently-planted plants, and container gardens, which usually dry out faster than in-ground beds.
Need an easy way to check that your plants are getting enough water? Test the moisture of the soil by pushing a finger 2–3 inches down into the dirt near the base of your plants.
If the soil is dry at that depth, it's time to water. Be sure to test in several spots of the garden, as there may be hidden dry spots you're missing during your watering routine.
How Should I Water My Garden During a Heat Wave?
When watering in extreme heat, slow, deep watering that saturates the top level of the soil is better than quick, shallow sprinkling or misting.
There are also good options for hot-weather watering with less work, including solutions like soaker hoses and drip irrigation. Whatever you do, the goal should be keeping roots hydrated and the soil moist two to five inches below the surface, even during the hottest part of the day.
How Mulch Can Help During Extreme Heat Gardening
When it comes to gardening in extreme Texas heat, mulch is one of the most powerful tools you can use. Texas Native mulch does more than suppress weeds, it improves soil health and protects your plants when temperatures soar.
In a heat wave, mulch acts like a moisture-retaining barrier. A 2–3 inch layer of Texas Native mulch helps lock water into the soil by absorbing moisture during watering and gradually releasing it throughout the day. This keeps your plants hydrated and reduces the need for frequent watering.
Mulch also provides a natural insulating layer, shielding the soil from direct sunlight. This helps prevent rapid evaporation, regulates soil temperature, and protects plant roots from heat stress, all essential for summer gardening success in Texas.
Protecting Yourself While Gardening in Texas Heat
Texas gardeners are notoriously hardy folks, but even the toughest of us aren’t immune to the life-threatening dangers of extreme heat. Here are a few tips on protecting yourself when tending your garden in hot weather.
Know the Signs of Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion
Dehydration and heat exhaustion can sneak up quickly, especially during long hours in the sun. Knowing the warning signs of heat-related illness is essential for staying safe and enjoying your time in the garden.
Signs of Dehydration
Intense thirst
Dry mouth or cracked lips
Headache
Sudden fatigue or dizziness
Dark yellow urine
Fainting or near-fainting episodes
Reduced sweating and less frequent urination
Very dry or flaky skin
Signs of Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid heartbeat
Fast, "panting" breaths
Muscle cramps
Clammy skin
Very dark, brownish urine
Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
Every year, heat-related illnesses claim lives in Texas, including those of seasoned outdoor workers. No matter how accustomed you are to high temperatures, gardening in extreme heat can be dangerous if you’re not careful.
Drink plenty of plain water throughout the day. Avoid sodas, alcohol, or overly sugary drinks, as they can worsen dehydration.
Take frequent breaks and rest in the shade or indoors to cool down and prevent overheating.. If you feel faint after bending over, develop a headache, become dizzy, nauseous, or overly fatigued, stop immediately and get out of the heat. Don’t push through symptoms. Recognizing and responding to the signs of heat exhaustion early can prevent a serious medical emergency.
How Often Should I Take Breaks While Gardening in the Heat?
If you're generally in good health, follow the 15/45 Rule: For every 45 minutes of gardening in hot weather, take a 15-minute break in the shade or indoors. Use that time to cool off, hydrate and take stock of how you (and your plants) are doing.
People with serious medical conditions, who are older or who have experienced heat exhaustion, should take more frequent breaks, or work only in the cooler morning or evening hours.
How Hot is Too Hot to Work Outside in the Garden?
The heat index, often included in weather forecasts, combines air temperature and humidity to show how hot it feels outside. In humid regions of Texas, the heat index can exceed the actual temperature by 10°F or more, creating dangerous conditions for outdoor work like gardening.
When the Texas heat index climbs above 100°F, it's important to limit outdoor activities and take safety precautions. Stay cool by wearing a wide-brimmed hat for shade, drinking plenty of water, and choosing breathable, light-colored clothing. For those doing yard work or landscaping, a neck-cooling towel or a portable fan can make a big difference in preventing heat exhaustion.
When the Texas heat index exceeds 105°F, it’s best to avoid outdoor work whenever possible. Extreme summer temperatures can pose serious health risks. If you need to garden or landscape, aim for early morning or evening hours, and keep tasks short to stay safe.
How Much Water Should I Drink Every Hour When Gardening in Extreme Heat?
Staying hydrated is essential when gardening in the Texas heat. Everyone’s needs are different, but you should drink more water than usual during extreme temperatures. A helpful rule of thumb: drink 8–16 oz. of water every 30 minutes you’re outside, especially if you're doing strenuous yard work.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty; by then, dehydration has already started. Prioritize water breaks to stay safe and productive during hot summer days.
Preventing Sunburns and Skin Cancer
Gardening in Texas sunshine has its perks, but protecting your skin is a must. Prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, including skin cancer. In Texas alone, nearly 5,700 melanoma cases are diagnosed each year, with close to 500 related deaths.
Before heading outdoors, even on cloudy days, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and allow it to absorb for at least 15 minutes. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you're sweating heavily.
For added protection while landscaping or gardening, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and breathable, long-sleeved clothing to help shield your skin and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Soil and Mulch Tips for Hot Weather Gardening
How Do I Tell If My Garden Soil Is Too Dry?
Stick your finger 2–3 inches into the soil. If it’s dry and crumbly at that depth, your plants are thirsty. Battery-powered soil moisture meters are also fairly cheap, easy to use, and available at many hardware and home-improvement stores.
Mulch's Ability to Absorb and Hold Water Close to the Soil
Applying a layer of mulch is one of the best things you can do to keep the soil from drying out in your garden during extreme heat.
Spreading a two- to four-inch layer of Texas Native mulch helps your garden retain moisture, regulates the temperature of the soil, and starves out any weeds that might compete against your plants for water and nutrients.
As it decays, Texas Native mulch also improves soil health over time. At the end of the season, just till it into the soil and it'll keep feeding your garden plot all winter long.
Read Texas Native's Complete Guide to Selecting and Applying Mulch
Tips for Keeping Plants Healthy in Extreme Heat
Provide Some Shade
Shade cloth, row covers, or even a patio umbrella nearby can offer sensitive plants a lifeline of midday shade during summer heat. Another option is shade cloth, which is a tarp-like material that allows different amounts of sun to shine through. For a vegetable garden, use 30% to 50% shade cloth to cut the summer heat.
Water Early
During periods of extreme heat, watering a garden is best done in the early morning hours, near dawn or just after. Watering early in the morning gives the water time to percolate deep into the soil before the moisture is evaporated by the midday sun. Once the water is soaked in, especially if the soil is covered by a layer of Texas Native mulch, it's much less likely to dry up entirely before your next watering, even when the temperature is sweltering outside.
Group Your Containers
If you’re into container gardening on a patio, deck, or small space, be mindful that potted plants dry out much faster than in-ground beds, especially in the Texas heat. That means more frequent watering and closer attention to moisture levels. A smart trick: group your pots together. This not only makes watering quicker and easier, but it also helps create a humid microclimate. As one plant releases moisture through transpiration, nearby plants can benefit and stay cooler, too.
Hold Off On Fertilizer
During a heat wave, plants in the garden are stressed and can show signs of that stress in the form of wilting, drooping, and other indications, even when you're watering as you should. Don't mistake those signs as a need for fertilizer. Fertilizing during extreme heat can actually cause additional stress on the root system by encouraging the plant to put on new growth. Keep watering, but wait until temperatures cool off before giving your plants food in the form of fertilizer.
Use Windbreaks
During the heat of summer, the wind in some parts of Texas can feel like a hairdryer on full blast, sucking the moisture out of everything. In the garden during a heatwave, those hot, dry winds can speed up evaporation, robbing your soil and plants of crucial moisture. One way to combat this if you live in a windy area: create windbreaks with temporary fencing, tarps, cloth or even taller garden plants like corn or climbing vines to protect more delicate plants from the wind.
Heat-Resistant Plants That Grow Well in Texas
If you're tired of constantly battling the heat, consider planting varieties that love it when the temperatures soar. Here are some of the best heat-resistant plants for Texas gardens:
Okra
Eggplant
Most types of peppers
Cucumbers
Gourds
Corn
Some types of tomatoes
Tomatillos
Rosemary
Thyme
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Sweet potatoes
Are garden weeds giving you fits and competing with the plants you actually want to grow? Read Texas Native's time-tested tips for keeping weeds out of your garden.
Contact Texas Native
Whether you’re growing a garden, building a backyard oasis or just getting started with container gardening on the back patio, these heat wave gardening tips will help keep your garden growing strong, even when summer heat is at its worst.
Texas Native mulch, soil, and compost products can help! For over 35 years, Texas Native has been collecting organic materials and transforming them into sustainable, all-natural products that beautify and nourish your garden or landscaping. We divert green waste from landfills and burn piles, creating products that help local contractors and homeowners conserve water, promote soil health, and grow more.
Today, the Texas Native brand offers more than 40 different premium mulch, soil, compost, and aggregate products across the state of Texas. Texas Native products are available at a home improvement store near you.
Have questions? Contact us today through our convenient online form, phone (512)259-7430, or send an email to info@austinwoodrecycling.com. Stay cool out there!