Avoiding these common mistakes can help your flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs survive periods of extreme heat.
Heat waves can stress even healthy plants, and well-intentioned gardening habits may do more harm than good when temperatures soar.
Consistent watering, good mulch, minimal pruning, and careful observation will help your landscape and garden emerge healthy once cooler weather returns.
Avoid the mistakes below and help your plants do well through the heat.
1. Watering Too Shallowly
A quick sprinkle wets only the soil surface, encouraging shallow roots that dry out quickly. Instead, water deeply and less frequently so moisture reaches the entire root zone. Use a moisture meter to make sure your watering has soaked down to a depth of 6-12 inches.
2. Watering in the Middle of the Day
While watering at midday won't burn leaves, much of the water evaporates before it reaches the roots. Water early in the morning whenever possible, or in the evening if morning isn't an option.
3. Forgetting to Mulch
Bare soil heats up rapidly and loses moisture quickly. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, straw, or compost, to keep roots cooler and reduce evaporation. Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks.
4. But don't overwater
Heat-stressed plants may wilt during the afternoon even when the soil is adequately moist. Check the soil before watering. Constantly soggy soil deprives roots of oxygen and can lead to root rot.
5. Fertilizing During Extreme Heat
Applying fertilizer during a heat wave can encourage tender new growth that is more susceptible to heat damage. Wait until temperatures moderate before feeding most plants.
6. Heavy Pruning
Avoid major pruning during hot weather. Removing too much foliage exposes stems and fruit to intense sunlight, increasing the risk of sunscald and additional stress.
7. Ignoring Container Plants
Plants in containers dry out much faster than those in the ground. During a prolonged heat wave, pots may need watering once or even twice a day, especially if they're in full sun.
8. Letting Vegetables Go Too Long Between HarvestsHarvest vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, beans, peppers, and tomatoes regularly. Keeping mature fruit on the plant requires energy that could otherwise support new growth and continued production.
9. Skipping Temporary Shade
Young plants, leafy greens, and recently transplanted flowers benefit from afternoon shade during extreme heat. Shade cloth, patio umbrellas, or even lightweight sheets can reduce heat stress without blocking all the sunlight.
10. Neglecting Newly Planted Trees and ShrubsNew landscape plants have limited root systems and need consistent moisture during their first few growing seasons. Check them frequently, especially after several days of high temperatures.
11. Walking on Dry Lawns
Grass becomes more vulnerable to damage during heat and drought. Reduce foot traffic when possible and raise your mower height to help shade the soil and protect the roots.
12. Waiting Too Long to Water
Plants often recover from a brief afternoon wilt, but repeated severe wilting can cause lasting damage. Learn to recognize early signs of heat stress - drooping leaves, curled foliage, dull coloration, and dry soil - and water before plants become severely dehydrated.
Heat-Wave Tips for Colorado Gardeners
Colorado's high altitude, low humidity, and intense sunshine can accelerate moisture loss, even when temperatures aren't record-breaking. Deep watering, mulching, and protecting plants from the hottest afternoon sun are some of the most effective ways to keep gardens thriving through summer heat.
Consistent watering, good mulch, minimal pruning, and careful observation will help your landscape and garden emerge healthy once cooler weather returns.
Avoid the mistakes below and help your plants do well through the heat.
1. Watering Too Shallowly
A quick sprinkle wets only the soil surface, encouraging shallow roots that dry out quickly. Instead, water deeply and less frequently so moisture reaches the entire root zone. Use a moisture meter to make sure your watering has soaked down to a depth of 6-12 inches.
2. Watering in the Middle of the Day
While watering at midday won't burn leaves, much of the water evaporates before it reaches the roots. Water early in the morning whenever possible, or in the evening if morning isn't an option.
3. Forgetting to Mulch
Bare soil heats up rapidly and loses moisture quickly. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, straw, or compost, to keep roots cooler and reduce evaporation. Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks.
4. But don't overwater
Heat-stressed plants may wilt during the afternoon even when the soil is adequately moist. Check the soil before watering. Constantly soggy soil deprives roots of oxygen and can lead to root rot.
5. Fertilizing During Extreme Heat
Applying fertilizer during a heat wave can encourage tender new growth that is more susceptible to heat damage. Wait until temperatures moderate before feeding most plants.
6. Heavy Pruning
Avoid major pruning during hot weather. Removing too much foliage exposes stems and fruit to intense sunlight, increasing the risk of sunscald and additional stress.
7. Ignoring Container Plants
Plants in containers dry out much faster than those in the ground. During a prolonged heat wave, pots may need watering once or even twice a day, especially if they're in full sun.
8. Letting Vegetables Go Too Long Between HarvestsHarvest vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini, beans, peppers, and tomatoes regularly. Keeping mature fruit on the plant requires energy that could otherwise support new growth and continued production.
9. Skipping Temporary Shade
Young plants, leafy greens, and recently transplanted flowers benefit from afternoon shade during extreme heat. Shade cloth, patio umbrellas, or even lightweight sheets can reduce heat stress without blocking all the sunlight.
10. Neglecting Newly Planted Trees and ShrubsNew landscape plants have limited root systems and need consistent moisture during their first few growing seasons. Check them frequently, especially after several days of high temperatures.
11. Walking on Dry Lawns
Grass becomes more vulnerable to damage during heat and drought. Reduce foot traffic when possible and raise your mower height to help shade the soil and protect the roots.
12. Waiting Too Long to Water
Plants often recover from a brief afternoon wilt, but repeated severe wilting can cause lasting damage. Learn to recognize early signs of heat stress - drooping leaves, curled foliage, dull coloration, and dry soil - and water before plants become severely dehydrated.
Heat-Wave Tips for Colorado Gardeners
Colorado's high altitude, low humidity, and intense sunshine can accelerate moisture loss, even when temperatures aren't record-breaking. Deep watering, mulching, and protecting plants from the hottest afternoon sun are some of the most effective ways to keep gardens thriving through summer heat.
During a heat wave, the goal is to reduce stress, not encourage rapid growth.