Surviving the Hottest Summer on Record: How to Water Without Drowning (or Dehydrating) Your Garden

This summer has been the hottest on record. I don’t need to show you a weather chart—you’ve probably felt it in your bones, your car’s steering wheel, and your poor lawn that now resembles toast. As the heat waves rolled in, I watched countless gardens suffer. Some plants crisped up like kale chips left in the oven too long. Others? Well, they were loved a little too hard and drowned before they could even complain.

I’ve seen homeowners actually dig up some of their most treasured trees and shrubs, convinced they couldn’t be saved. The heartbreak is real, but here’s the truth: most of these plant tragedies weren’t because of the heat itself. They were because of water—or rather, the lack of understanding of how and when to give it. Too much. Too little. Just like Goldilocks, plants need it just right.

So, what’s the secret to keeping plants alive during hot, dry summers? Observation. And if you want to get fancy, a moisture meter doesn’t hurt either. Let’s break it down.

Overwatering vs. Underwatering: Spot the Signs Before It’s Too Late

Overwatering and underwatering often get mistaken for each other because both cause drooping leaves, but they’re two very different problems. Think of them as twins—same face, opposite personalities.

• Overwatering: When roots sit in soggy soil, they can’t breathe. That lack of oxygen leads to root rot, and the plant basically starts to suffocate from the bottom up. The signs? Leaves go limp and yellow, starting with the oldest ones at the base of the plant. You might even notice the soil smells a little swampy. It’s like your plant is waving a tiny white flag saying, “Help, I’m drowning!”

• Underwatering: On the flip side, when a plant doesn’t get enough water, the leaves can’t hold themselves together. They curl, crisp, and often turn brown along the edges or tips, starting at the top where the plant is most exposed to the sun. Think of it like a bad sunburn—the youngest growth shows the damage first. This is your plant’s way of whispering, “Please, I’m parched.”

Quick visual check:

• Yellowing from the bottom up? Too much water.

• Crispy, curling from the top down? Too little.

Once you know which camp your plant is in, you can actually help it—instead of throwing more water at it and hoping for the best.

The Power of Observation

Here’s where you get to play Nancy Drew.

Instead of sticking to a strict watering schedule you found on Google - I actually had a client get very angry when I told them something died because it was under-watered, because he followed Google's advice strictly - look closely at your plants and your soil. Check the leaves in the morning.

Are they perky and upright? Good.

Limp and droopy? Time to investigate.

And don’t just stop at the surface. Soil can be sneaky. The top might look dry and dusty while just below, it’s soggy. Or it can appear moist on top while deeper down, the roots are parched. That’s where a simple tool—your finger—comes in. Stick it a couple inches into the soil. If it feels dry, water. If it feels moist, hold off.

Want to really up your game? Get a moisture meter. They’re inexpensive, and you’ll look like a serious garden scientist while using one.

Watering Smart in the Heat

Once you know what’s actually happening, here are a few ground rules:

• Water deeply, not frequently. Shallow sips keep roots lazy and close to the surface. Deeper, less frequent watering encourages roots to grow down where the soil stays cooler and more stable. My general rule is to count at least 30-45 Mississippis. 60 if it's been REALLY hot and dry.

• Morning is best. Watering in the morning reduces evaporation and gives plants a chance to drink before the midday heat sets in. Evening is second best, though it can sometimes invite mildew if leaves stay wet overnight.

• Mulch is your friend. A nice layer of mulch keeps soil cooler, locks in moisture, and spares you from watering quite as often. Bonus: it makes everything look tidy even when you feel like a hot mess.

• Adjust for the plant. Tomatoes in raised beds dry out faster than established shrubs in the ground. Potted plants? They’re divas and need checking daily.

Gardening as Mindfulness Practice

Here’s the silver lining: paying attention to your garden’s water needs can actually become a mindfulness practice. Instead of rushing out with the hose like you’re late for a meeting, take a moment to really observe. Touch the soil. Notice the leaf color. Feel the air. Spend five quiet minutes in the morning walking your garden, checking in. It’s less of a chore and more like a meditation with flowers.

Your garden doesn’t just need water—it needs your attention. And when you give that, you’re not just helping your plants survive the summer. You’re building a deeper connection with your little patch of earth, one sip at a time.

The Bottom Line

The secret to keeping plants alive during record-breaking heat isn’t some magical watering schedule, high-tech gadget, or complicated trick. It’s observation. Watch, listen (yes, plants speak in their own way), and respond. Think of it like any relationship: notice the signs, meet the needs, and don’t smother with too much love.

So before you pull up that droopy shrub or flood the bed again “just in case,” pause. Stick your finger in the soil. Grab a moisture meter if you want to feel fancy. And remember, sometimes the best thing you can give your garden is not more water, but the right water.

Because in the end, gardening isn’t about saving every single plant—it’s about learning, adapting, and showing up for the living world around you. Even in the hottest summer on record.