By mid to late summer, even the most beautiful gardens can start looking a little tired. Long stretches of heat, high humidity, and inconsistent rainfall are all part of gardening in coastal Virginia, but they don’t have to bring your landscape to a standstill.
With a few simple adjustments, you can help your plants stay healthy, colorful, and productive until cooler weather arrives. Here’s how to give your garden the support it needs during Virginia’s hottest months.
Water Smarter, Not More
One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make during the summer is watering too often with too little water. Frequent, shallow watering encourages weak root systems that struggle when temperatures soar.
Instead, water deeply two to three times per week, allowing moisture to soak several inches into the soil. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making plants more resilient during dry spells.
For the best results:
- Water early in the morning before the day’s heat sets in.
- Avoid watering during the hottest part of the afternoon when much of the moisture evaporates.
- Try to keep water on the soil instead of the foliage to reduce the risk of disease.
If you’re using containers or hanging baskets, remember they’ll dry out much faster than garden beds and may need watering every day during extended heat waves.
Feed Plants Carefully
It may seem like plant food is the answer when plants begin looking stressed, but during periods of extreme heat, less is often more.
Avoid heavy feeding during the hottest weeks of summer, especially with fast-release plant foods that encourage tender new growth. New growth is more vulnerable to heat and drought stress.
Instead, use a slow-release plant food or wait until temperatures begin to moderate before giving plants another feeding.
Deadhead and Prune for More Blooms
Many summer annuals and perennials will continue flowering much longer with regular maintenance.
Take a few minutes each week to:
- Remove spent blooms from flowering plants.
- Trim back leggy annuals like petunias and calibrachoa.
- Cut back faded perennial flowers to encourage rebloom where appropriate.
- Remove yellowing or damaged foliage.
A little cleanup helps plants focus their energy on producing fresh growth instead of making seed. And it can help you to have the right tools for the job.
Give Your Containers Extra Attention
Containers are often the first plants to show signs of summer stress because they heat up quickly and have limited soil to hold moisture.
Help container gardens thrive by:
- Checking soil moisture daily.
- Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom.
- Fertilizing lightly according to the product directions.
- Rotating containers if one side receives especially intense afternoon sun.
If a container starts looking tired, don’t be afraid to swap in fresh annuals for an instant refresh.
Watch for Heat-Loving Pests
Warm weather creates ideal conditions for insects like spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and scale.
Inspect plants regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, for signs of activity such as:
- Fine webbing
- Sticky residue
- Speckled or yellowing leaves
- Distorted new growth
Catching problems early makes them much easier to manage. If you’re unsure what’s affecting your plants, bring a sample or photos to one of our stores and our Green Team over by the Garden Pharmacy desk can help identify the issue and recommend the right solution.
Plan Ahead for Fall Success
Late summer is also the perfect time to start thinking about the next gardening season.
Begin planning for:
- Fall vegetable gardens
- Cool-season annuals
- Lawn renovation
- Tree and shrub planting
- Spring-flowering bulbs
Getting a head start means you’ll be ready as soon as cooler temperatures arrive.
Keep Growing All Summer Long
Summer gardening in Hampton Roads comes with its challenges, but a little extra care goes a long way. If you have questions about watering, plant foods, or finding plants that thrive in Virginia’s summer heat, stop by either of our year-round locations! To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to explore more gardening tips and ideas.
