5 Ways Summer Heat Is Actually Good for Your Garden

Summer is here, and with it comes heat waves, which means your garden can be negatively affected by the sweltering heat. While your garden may need some extra care and attention, you might be surprised to learn that the heat actually helps some plants, herbs, and vegetables thrive.

Read on to see different ways that the intense summer heat can actually help your garden instead of harm it.

Many flowers bloom in the heat

Many flowers will actually thrive in hot weather and won’t wilt even during extreme heat waves. For example, sunflowers grow relatively quickly in the summer and even bloom into the fall.

Another standout flower? Hibiscus. This bright, vibrant orange plant will thrive even in the heat of August, and you won’t have to worry about it dying during the hottest of heat waves.

Zinnia flowers, which come in a variety of colors, don’t mind the sun shining down on them. They will look especially beautiful in your front yard.

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Tomatoes love high temperatures

In an AP News article, Jessica Damiano found that many of her vegetables thrived surprisingly well in the summer heat.

“A lot of heat-loving plants are thriving right now,” she wrote. “My Big Boy tomato plant has never been taller than it is at this time of year, and the zucchini plant is threatening to take over the entire back deck.”

Tomatoes in particular need at least six to eight hours of sunlight to grow and will certainly thrive in July and August. But tomatoes aren’t the only vegetable you can expect during these months.

Other vegetables thrive in heat waves

Surprisingly, sweet potatoes are one of the sunniest plants. In fact, they are quite sensitive to cold weather, so this is the perfect time to plant them and watch them grow when it’s hot outside.

Another heat-loving vegetable that you can grow in your garden without worry is cucumbers. These crisp, refreshing vegetables are sure to thrive on hot summer days.

And if you’re a pepper lover, you’re in luck – bell peppers are actually quite easy to grow and you’ll find them blooming during the warmer months and days.

Many herbs also love the sun.

Luckily, many delicious herbs don’t mind the heat. One of the most popular herbs to grow in the summer is basil. Basil doesn’t really grow well in the cold, so this is the perfect herb to try during the warmer months. Mint is another heat-tolerant herb that will thrive as a wildflower in the summer.

Some sun-loving grasses

When you think of grass in July and August, you often picture a dry, brittle front yard. However, there are some types of grass that are actually tolerant of the sun. Types like Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and carpet grass are just a few of the heat-loving, drought-tolerant grasses, so you won’t have to worry about a dry, brittle front yard this summer.

Say what you will about the summer heat killing your evergreen garden, but now you know how many plants and vegetables actually love the sun. So stay cool and watch your garden bloom and grow.