7 Expert-Approved Tips to Prevent Your Container Garden from Drying Out

There is so much to love about container gardening. Whether you are cultivating a container vegetable garden or simply adding some flowers to your porch or patio, they can be a beautiful addition to your outdoor space.

Unfortunately, however, there is one major downside to container gardening. When temperatures rise and get too hot, they are prone to drying out quickly.

With this in mind, we reached out to a few gardening experts to find out the best way to prevent this condition and keep potted plants from dying in the middle of summer.

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Assess your container needs

As Anastasia Borisevich, plant expert at Plantum, points out, consider what you have potted and plan from there. Different plants, as we all know, often have different needs.

Borisevich said that plants grown in pots need more water than plants grown in the ground. This is because the roots have less room to grow and fewer nutrients.

“Also, if multiple plants in the same pot compete for a limited amount of nutrients, this can cause them to wilt and starve very quickly,” says Borisevich.

Maintain a regular watering schedule

Now is not the time to let your watering routine down, says Laura Janney, founder of The Inspired Garden. Attentive summer care is the surest way to keep your container garden lush, healthy, and hydrated.

This comes with the need for a consistent watering schedule so your plants never become stressed. Janney recommends watering the soil regularly during the height of summer.

It’s best to water your plants in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening. By avoiding the hottest hours of the day, Janney says you’re helping your plants get the most moisture.

Consider providing shade

If you find your potted plants really struggling to grow, Borisevich suggests giving them some shade, especially during hot seasons.

You can use shade cloth or install an outdoor umbrella, Borisevich says, noting that you can create shade with other plants.

Confirm proper drainage

Another big problem with container gardens, according to Janney, can be the containers themselves. It’s important to make sure your containers drain well. This prevents waterlogging, which can damage plant roots.

“Use moisture-controlled soil, especially during hot summer months, to help control water retention and drainage,” says Janney.

Drink water properly

It’s important to pay attention to how you water, says Janney. Especially with container gardens, it’s important to water the entire surface of the soil all the way to the edge.

“Many gardeners only water the middle, causing the plants at the edges to dry out faster,” she says.

Janney recommends aiming the nozzle directly at the soil—don’t just wet the flowers and leaves. This ensures the water reaches the roots where it’s needed most.

Monitor soil moisture

If a regular watering schedule doesn’t work for you, Janney says you can also monitor the moisture in your soil with your finger or a moisture meter. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water, she says.

Or, if you prefer, you can set up an irrigation system. Janney suggests using drip tubing for ease and efficiency, ensuring a steady, regulated water supply.

Don’t ignore other maintenance

While watering your container garden is important, it’s not the only thing that will help you be successful this summer.

Focus on nutrition and maintenance for your container garden—that means fertilizing regularly, pruning, and deadheading to promote new, healthy growth. Borisevich also suggests using more breathable fabric pots to keep roots cool, keeping your container weed-free, and using mulch.

“Mulch will decompose over time and add organic matter to the soil, giving your vegetable beds and containers the nutrients they need for the summer,” she says, noting that this is especially true for young plants and any plants with shallow roots.