Summer Flower Garden Guide: Beat the Heat

Summer Garden Challenges

Hot weather, drought stress, and pest pressure make summer challenging for many flowers. Understanding how to support your plants through these conditions ensures continuous blooms until fall.

Watering Wisdom

• Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep roots
• Early morning watering reduces evaporation and disease
• Aim for 1-1.5 inches per week, more during heat waves
• Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficiency
• Mulch beds with 2-3 inches of organic material

Deadheading for Continuous Blooms

Regular deadheading redirects energy from seed production to new flowers:

• Remove faded flowers before seeds form
• Cut back to the next set of leaves or lateral bud
• Some plants (petunias, calibrachoa) benefit from mid-season shearing
• Leave some seedheads if you want self-sowing or bird food

Heat-Tolerant Performers

These flowers thrive in summer heat:

• Zinnias—the hotter, the better
• Lantana—tropical color and drought tolerance
• Portulaca—thrives in hot, dry conditions
• Pentas—attracts butterflies all summer
• Vincas—handles heat and humidity

Succession Planting

Fill gaps and extend the season by:

• Starting new seeds every 2-3 weeks through early summer
• Purchasing transplants to fill bare spots
• Having backup plants ready in containers

Feeding Summer Flowers

Actively blooming plants need regular nutrition:

• Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks
• Use water-soluble fertilizer for container plants
• Reduce feeding in extreme heat when plants are stressed