How to Protect Your Plants from Summer Heat: Tips for Outdoor Gardens & Houseplants

The summer sun is glorious, but just like us, our gardens can get overheated. Whether you’re growing herbs on your patio or styling your office with a desktop garden here are a few simple tweaks to help your gardens thrive during hot temperatures.

Outdoor Garden Care Tips:

1. Water Smart: Deeply water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and help roots stay hydrated. Remember to hydrate the soil, not the plants.
2. Move to Partial Shade: Shift your grow bags or containers to a spot that gets dappled light or afternoon shade.
3. Traveling? Pick up a plastic kiddie pool from your local Walmart or store. Put it in a shady spot or on your patio, put a little water in the pool and place your grow bags right in the water. They will hydrate from the bottom up and you will come home to happy hydrated plants.

Summer Sun Plant Protection: How to Know When It Is Too Hot

🍅 Tomatoes

• Too Hot: Consistent highs over 85–90°F (29–32°C), especially at night.
• What Happens: Flower drop, poor fruit set, sunscald, and blossom-end rot.
• Tip: Use shade cloth during peak sun, move to a shady location and water early. You can also bring your garden indoors at night to give it a little extra TLC.

🌶️ Peppers

• Too Hot: Above 92°F (32°C) for several days in a row.
• What Happens: Flowers may drop, fruit may become misshapen or sunburned.
• Tip: Peppers like heat—but not too much. Offer afternoon shade and keep soil evenly moist.

🥒 Cucumbers

• Too Hot: Above 90°F (32°C) can slow growth, especially if water-stressed.
• What Happens: Bitter fruit, wilting, and reduced yield.
• Tip: Water deeply, and try a trellis to improve airflow and reduce ground heat.

🌿 Herbs (like basil, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage)

• Too Hot: Most herbs start to struggle above 90°F, especially with direct sun all day.
• What Happens: Basil bolts (flowers and stops producing), mint wilts, and delicate herbs like parsley may scorch.
• Tip: Morning sun, afternoon shade, and consistent watering are key. For potted herbs, move them around as needed.

Indoor Desktop Garden + Houseplant Tips:

1. Avoid Hot Windows: Move sensitive plants away from south-facing windows where magnified light can scorch leaves.
2. Humidity Boost: Mist regularly or use a humidity tray to combat dry indoor air.
3. Watch Watering: Overwatering is easy in summer! Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again to prevent root rot.

General Rule of Thumb:
If it feels too hot to stand barefoot on the patio, it’s probably too hot for your plants—give them some shade, hydration, and a little extra care.

Grow Pro Tip: Remember to register your garden to begin receiving weather alerts and little reminders on how to care for your plants.