When we started providing fresh, organic produce to our community it seemed like a dream come true! We densely planted our raised beds with companion crops and were reaping the rewards. Then the summer hit and it became harder keeping plants alive, let alone thriving.

Summer temperatures for us are typically between 100-115 F degrees during the day with warm nights. Some plants just don’t like the heat (lettuce, I’m looking at you!). Keeping plants alive and well becomes a struggle. However, there is still hope for bountiful garden if you plan your crops accordingly and protect sensitive plants!

(FAIL: This poor avocado tree is just not tolerating the hot summer even with shade and the hoop house’s cooler temperature. It was doing so well until early July.)

Summer in the desert takes a toll on plants. Everything starts to look like it has been hit with a blow torch by July and August. Leaves start curling, wilting or crisping completely. Some plants do amazingly well though, while others are barely hanging on. Stay tuned for a complete list of easy to grow summer plants.

Some of our crops are in our raised bed garden covered with 40% shade cloth until fall. Truly hot weather crops are in long, full sun raised beds.

Pro Tips for Keeping Plants Alive in Summer:

1. Mid-day shade is essential for Many plants.

“Full Sun” is different in the desert summer than in other places. Your plants that need 6-8 hrs of sun per day will still get plenty of light, just cover them with a shade cloth for the worst of the heat and sun (noon to about 3 pm).

2. Over watering is BAD, but it’s better than under watering.

Most of the time, plants are stressing due to irregular watering or insufficient water in the heat, not the other way around. If you have clay soil, you are in danger of overwatering. However, those of us with sandy, rocky or sandy loam soil are not really at risk.

3. Do NOt plant new trees until late September. Just don’t.

New trees need to be planted in spring or fall. Bare root trees need to be planted in January or February. Summer is the WRONG time to plant a new tree. HOWEVER, if you already own some trees in buckets and haven’t gotten around to planting them in the spring, there’s hope! Provide them with shade and bury the grow bucket into the ground so the root ball doesn’t dry out or get as hot. Or you can go ahead and plant the tree (provide shade) and hope for the best!

4. Gypsum, mulch and Ironite® will improve your watering game.

There are a variety of products that help plants improve water usage and absorption. Gypsum and coconut coir are two very helpful ones! I use coco coir as a mulch on top of my beds and tree wells which keeps soil from losing moisture rapidly from evaporation.

5. Don’t water mid-day.

Water in the early morning or late evening and be conscious of how much water your plants are actually getting. Drip emitters are a joke. They often plug up from hard water. Watch your system and make sure everything is getting adequate water. Automatic systems are not a guarantee your plants are getting watered. Check frequently to make sure they are functioning properly. Don’t ever run a sprinkler mid-day on your plants (it will cause more harm than good).

6. Paint your tree trunks on young trees

Protect young trees from sunburn by painting them with tree paint. BTW- kids love helping paint tree trunks! Fun for the whole family!

7. Plant the right plants for the season

Arizona has multiple growing seasons (as do other sub-tropical areas). Start plants early so you can hit the ground running when spring or fall officially hits! There are a huge variety of plants that thrive in zone 9.

Check out Master Gardener Angela Judd’s blog Growing in the Garden for more educational resources including Low Desert (zone 9b) gardening classes and desert vegetable and fruit growing charts! I love following her YouTube Channel for amazing tips from her garden.

8. Be aware of microclimates in your garden during planting

Keep plants alive by planting the right plants (or trees) in the best places in your garden or yard for them to thrive. Natural barriers like hills, low spots, buildings, walls, and existing plants can create unique growing conditions better for some plants to thrive.

Check out Green Life by Shamus O’Leary, a tropical tree nursery and blog based out of Phoenix, AZ if you want to learn more about successful use of microclimates!

MY TOP Choices for SummeR-Loving Plants

This is a list of a few of my favorite HOT weather fruits, vegetables and herbs. It’s easy keeping these plants alive! I highly recommend these plants for beginners!

• melons – cantaloupe, watermelons, honeydew, etc.

• squash – spaghetti squash, zucchini, crookneck

• kale

• basil

• sweet potatoes – you can eat the leaves and the tubers!

• okra – YUM! Fried okra and bhindi masala!

• peppers – all of them!

• cucumbers – Armenian do best in the heat, I’ve heard.

• eggplant

• asparagus

• tomatoes – but they don’t produce fruit during the hottest part of the summer. Hang in there for early fall, though!

• Figs

• Citrus

• Pomegranates

• Lemongrass

• Rosemary

• Olive trees – I love brining my own olives!

• onions

YOU’RE WELCOME! Good luck with your gardens! Hang in there and shoot us some pics of your gardens!

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