Have you tried gardening in the south? Not only are you fighting summer thunderstorms and humidity, but the sun will bake you and your plants alive if you don’t have a strategy to keep plants cool from the start.
And let me tell you. Strategy, I did not have!
For the most part, plants truly do love the sun! However, it can be hard to balance moisture levels in parts of the country that experience extreme weather.
Luckily for you, I’ve lost so many plants to the Florida heat that I finally feel like I have some tried and true methods going on.
Even if you don’t live in Florida, many apartment balcony patios reflect more sunlight from buildings in urban areas. Wind at higher altitudes also loves to zap moisture so keeping your plants cool and protected is critical!
Without further ado, here are my 10 simple ways to keep plants cool during a summer heatwave!
1. Use mulch.
Mulch is used to help retain moisture in the soil and also helps amend the soil by adding organic matter. This is also a great way to increase the health of your soil if you buy potting soil that is too dense.
Here are some popular forms of mulch:
- Leaves: Easy and free to use. Use a paper shredder, weed wacker, or lawn mower to shred the pieces for easier distribution or simply lay them on top! Adds organic matter to the soil.
- Compost: This is my favorite mulch to use on my plants. Composting is like the science experiment I never needed and it always makes my day to see my plants perk up from adding in a top layer. It works great to keep the soil cool.
- Wood chips: Find wood chips for free at any recycling center or tree trimming facility. Great at retaining moisture and adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes over time.
2. Use a tree for shade.
Yes, you can fit a tree in your backyard, apartment balcony, or small patio space!
This is the perfect way to keep plants cool during those intense summer days! For hotter temperatures, go with citrus or fig trees. Not only are they small enough, but you also get a bonus fruit. A word of caution though, trees are a little higher maintenance. Don’t invest in buying one unless you know you’re up for the research and tasks!
3. Stick with drought-tolerant plants.
When dealing with abrasive climates, do a bit of research to learn which plants are more drought-tolerant than others. A great starter for beginners is herbs. For example, thyme, oregano, and rosemary are herbs acclimated to hotter Mediterranean climates so they thrive in hot, humid weather and don’t need a lot of maintenance.
Other plants that do well in really hot weather are peppers for vegetables and zinnas for flowers.
4. Design a strategic layout.
A little bit of planning to prevent overheating will save you rather than trying to revive a stressed plant. One of the easiest ways to do this is to design a strategic layout on your balcony. Allow the sun-loving plants to take the stage in front while providing shade for plants more sensitive to the sun. Make a list of what you want to grow and see if it’s feasible for the amount of space and sunlight you have.
If you’re not sure, draw it out!
5. Choose the right pot.
The choice of material you use for your planter. They all have their pros and cons. For example, terracotta is a favorite because it’s heavy and adds character to a space, but it’s also porous and loses moisture fast! Terracotta may be a good option for drought-tolerant herbs. Plastic pots in lighter colors seem to be the common and affordable choice for most climates. Wood is a great organic choice but can rot easily unless you buy cedar or teak, which tends to be pretty costly. Metal is a classic look for planters but warms up quickly in the sun. As you can see, choosing a pot will be highly dependent on where you live and what your growing goals are.
My recent favorite has been the use of “grow bags” which are breathable and stay cooler at these higher temperatures in Florida!
6. Water in the A.M.
Plants are kind of like us in a way and need fuel first thing in the morning to sustain them throughout the day. The morning time is cooler and less water will evaporate from the plants giving them fuel for optimal growing. Watering midday when the sun is really hot out increases the chance of burning leaves or creating an ideal environment for pests and disease. Being proactive with watering is really the key, rather than trying to fix problems.
7. Grow native plants.
One of the easiest (but maybe not so obvious) ways to beat the heat is to use native plants! Native varieties are used to the weather and have adapted to conditions over time to flourish. This includes flowers too. Include the vegetation that is common in your area to attract local wildlife and pollinators. You’ll have less maintenance and upkeep since they’re acclimated to the surroundings.
8. Group in threes.
Did you know grouping your plants in threes will help increase the moisture for plants? Try this super easy method for indoor and outdoor plants to increase humidity levels.
Try elevating them at different heights to create visual interests for guests.
It’s the perfect no-fail decor tip!
9. Fertilize often.
A soil that is healthy and high in organic matter will be able to retain moisture for longer. Compost is completely organic and can be used not only as a top-layer mulch, but a natural slow-release fertilizer! If you don’t have a backyard to compost in, that’s ok. Here is a simple guide on how to compost in an apartment, with no mess or critters involved! Add finished compost as a top layer to your plants about once a month and then water as normal. This will help for a higher yield of fruits and vegetables.
10. Keep pots elevated.
Place your pots on bricks or any hard surface to make sure you’re not restricting airflow underneath the pot. This keeps your plant cool and off the ground that’s really hot and can transfer to your pot. This also prevents mold, mildew, and other bacteria from growing on the bottom of your pot.
Final Thoughts
You’ve just read How to Protect Your Plants from Extreme Heat.
Did you find any of these tips helpful? Leave a comment and share or pin with friends!
How do you keep your plants cool during the summer?
