This summer is once again showing us just how extreme the weather we need to prepare for can be. Daytime temperatures of 38–40 °C pose a serious challenge not only to people but also to our gardens. At times like this, many gardeners instinctively water more, even though it’s not necessarily the amount of water that matters most, but rather when and how it’s applied.
When should we water?
The best time is
early in the morningafter sunrise. The soil is still cool at this time, allowing the water to seep deeper, and the plants can prepare for the daytime heat. If this isn’t possible,
then water late in the evening,when the soil has already begun to cool. Avoid watering at midday or in the early afternoon whenever possible. Not because water droplets “burn” the leaves—that’s more of a gardening myth—but because at that time, a significant portion of the water simply evaporates before it reaches the roots.
Water less frequently, but thoroughly.
Watering for just a few minutes each day often only moistens the top few centimeters of soil. As a result, the roots remain near the surface, where the soil dries out the fastest. A much better solution is
to water less frequently but with a larger amount of water,so that the moisture reaches a depth of 20–30 centimeters. This way, the plants develop a deeper root system and tolerate the heat better.
Protecting the soil is at least as important as watering.
Bare soil heats up quickly and loses a great deal of water through evaporation. A layer of mulch a few centimeters thick—such as grass clippings, straw, or shredded plant debris—significantly reduces this loss.
- keeps the soil cooler,
- suppresses weeds,
- improves soil life,
- and retains moisture for longer.
This is particularly important in community gardens, as it reduces the need for watering and makes water use more efficient.
Not all plants are the same
Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and squash require a lot of water during the fruit-setting stage.
Onions, beans, and many herbs tolerate drier periods better.
It’s therefore a good idea not to water the entire garden “the same way,” but to take into account the specific needs of each plant.
Let's keep an eye on the plants, not just the calendar
Wilting leaves don’t always mean you need to water immediately. In hot weather, many plants wilt temporarily in the afternoon and then recover on their own by evening.
Before watering, it’s a good idea to check the soil with your finger at a depth of 8–10 centimeters. If it’s still moist there, you can probably wait a while before watering again.
The Community Garden Is a Shared Responsibility
Cooperation is especially important during hot weather. If someone is going away for a few days, it’s a good idea to discuss watering arrangements in advance with the people tending the neighboring plots. One of the greatest values of community gardens is precisely that we can count on each other.
We also manage water resources together. If everyone waters thoughtfully, less water is used, the plants stay healthier, and the garden can weather heat waves more easily.
Climate change calls for a new approach to gardening
The increasingly frequent heat waves remind us that gardening is no longer just about growing plants. We care for the soil, conserve water, and adapt to the weather.
Today, a good gardener isn’t the one who waters the most, but the one who uses the available water as efficiently as possible.
This approach benefits not only the plants, but also our cities and the community gardens of the future.
