5 Simple Tricks to Protect Your Garden from the Summer Sun

Summer is here, and your garden is bursting with life! Whether you are harvesting juicy tomatoes or snipping fresh herbs, your garden is thriving and growing. However, as the sun gets hotter and the days get longer, your plants may require extra care to stay healthy.

Don't worry –  we've got you and your garden covered... literally! 

In this blog, we share simple, beginner-friendly tips on:

Knowing your local climate

Smart watering

Plant maintenance

and soil care

to keep your garden cool, hydrated, and protected throughout the summer!

#1: Know Your Local Climate and Temperature Patterns to Plan for Heatwaves

Not all gardens face the same summer challenges. Some regions receive relentless sun, while others may experience a surprise frost warning in late spring. Knowing your handiness zone and paying attention to local weather trends helps you plan better and grow smarter. 

Pro tip: Select plants that are suited to your specific hardiness zone. They will be naturally more resilient and better equipped to handle your local climate trends. A little planning goes a long way towards a lush, thriving garden!  

#2: Watering Wisely: Timing and Technique Matter

Water is essential to plant health, but timing and technique are equally important. Healthy soil (especially when mixed in with our organic biofertilizer) holds moisture longer, keeps roots growing deeper in the soil, and boosts plant health with less effort. 

Below are a few tips to consider when watering your garden:

Water in the Morning  

Watering your garden early in the morning will give your plants enough time to absorb the water and stay hydrated throughout the long, hot day. Avoid watering in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest, as this can cause water to evaporate from the hot sun, leaving the plant with little water. Also, avoid watering late in the evening because the water droplets will cling to the leaves overnight, increasing the likelihood of disease and mould development.

Deep Water your Garden  

Watering your garden less often but more deeply will ensure that the water reaches the soil, where it's stored for longer periods, resulting in less watering throughout the week. Watering deeply will also encourage roots to grow deeper in cooler areas, making the plants stronger and more resilient to drought.

Soaker Hoses or Drip Irrigation

If you have a larger garden, consider installing soaker hoses or a drip irrigation system. These systems save time, conserve water, improve watering efficiency, and maintain a consistent watering schedule for your plants. Delivering water straight to your plant's root zone ensures no water runoff or evaporation under the summer sun.

#3: Mulching to Keep Soil Cool  

If you haven't mulched your garden before, it's best to start now! Mulch is a layer of organic matter that sits on top of your garden soil. The best types of mulch for beginner gardeners to use in their garden are straw, bark chips, or shredded leaves.

Adding mulch to your garden will help retain moisture in the soil and regulate the soil temperature during the hot summer days. It also reduces weeds from growing between your crops! It's one of the simplest ways to protect your garden from scorching summer days—and your plants will thank you!

#4: Shade and Shelter for Sensitive Plants  

Just like us, plants need a break from the sun. Leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach, prefer partial shade and can suffer from sunburn if exposed to full sunlight all day. 

One way to shade your garden is to try companion planting. Growing taller crops, such as tomatoes, beans, or bitter melon, next to shorter, sun-sensitive plants will create a natural shade, allowing you to grow more vegetables. 

If you don't plan on growing more vegetables, consider installing shade cloths, garden umbrellas, or temporary structures like shade tents or trellises to protect your plants. 

These are easy to set up and make a big difference in protecting your plants from midday heat.

#5: Build Healthy Soil

Great gardens start with great soil – and it doesn't stop after planting! Throughout the season, continue to add organic matter, such as compost or our organic biofertilizer, to boost moisture retention, improve soil structure, and support root health.

Testing the soil drainage is another excellent way to assess how well your garden absorbs water. If the soil is too compact, water can't reach deep into the roots, which could lead to heat stress. Heat-stressed plants require strong roots and a balanced nutrient supply to thrive. Loosen up the soil with soil amendments and let your plants breathe.

Keep it Cool and Keep it Growing

Sunshine is essential for your garden to grow, but too much of it can stress out your plants. With a few simple tricks, such as understanding your local climate, practicing smart watering, adding soil amendments, and creating structures, you can help keep your garden cool and productive throughout the summer.

Do you have any tips for beating the heat in the garden? We’d love to hear them!  

Share your ideas with us in the comments below or tag us on Instagram with your coolest garden hacks!  

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Blogger Biography 

Freda is a Toronto-based social media and digital marketer. New to the plant world, she is eager to learn all the tips and tricks on how to keep her plant babies thriving. If she's not walking her maltipoo Leo, you can find her practicing yoga or enjoying live music.