Keeping your garden cool in the summer can help your plants thrive, even when the sun is beating down. Incorporating several simple adjustments will set your plants up for success.
Shade Management
Where you can, use shade cloths in the heat of the summer. These cloths are specifically designed to block out part of the sun’s heat and drop the temperature of your garden by up to 10 degrees. You can also plan for shade management of sensitive plants by planting them under other taller, more hardy plants. For instance, plant basil in between your tomatoes, as they will thrive better in the shade of the tomato leaves, whereas the tomatoes can take full sun.
If you’re gardening in containers, move them to an area that gets morning sun, but afternoon shade. And in extreme heat cases, simply tie an umbrella over sensitive plants, or block the sun with cardboard.
Soil Protection
Watering in the very early morning, before 8:00am, will help your garden absorb as much as possible before the heat causes evaporation. Be sure to just water the base of the plants, not the leaves, to get the water to the roots faster.
In the heat of the summer, be sure to add an extra layer of mulch to your garden bed. Lighter mulch will reflect the sun. The mulch will help insulate the soil and retain moisture. Bare soil causes rapid moisture loss, but protected soil keeps the ground temperature cooler.