5 Ways the Summer Heat Is Actually Good for Your Garden

With summer comes heat waves, which means your garden could be negatively effected by the sweltering heat. While your garden may need extra care and tending to, you may be surprised to know that the heat actually helps some plants, herbs, and vegetables thrive.

Read on to see the different ways the high summer heat could actually help your garden instead of hurt it.

Many Flowers Flourish in the Heat

Many kinds of flowers will actually thrive in the heat and won’t shrivel even during scorching heat waves. Sunflowers, for instance, grow relatively quickly in the summer and even bloom until the fall.

Another show stopping flower? Hibiscus. This bright and vivid orange plant will prosper even during August heat 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 beaming down on them. They will look beautiful especially in your front yard.

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Tomatoes Love the Heat

In a piece by AP News, Jessica Damiano found that many of her vegetables are surprisingly flourishing in the summertime heat.

“Many heat-loving plants are thriving right now,” she writes. “My Big Boy tomato vines have never been taller at this point in the season, and the zucchini is already threatening to overtake the back deck.”

Tomatoes in particular need at least six to eight hours of sunlight to grow and will absolutely flourish during the July and August months. But tomatoes aren’t the only kind of vegetables you will have to look forward to during these months.

Other Vegetables Thrive in Heat Waves

Surprisingly, sweet potatoes are one of the most sun-loving plants out there. They actually are pretty sensitive to the cold weather, so it’s the perfect time to plant and watch them grow when it’s sweltering outside.

Another heat-loving veggie you can plant in your garden and not have to worry about are cucumbers. These crunchy and refreshing veggies will be sure to sprout during the dog days of summer.

And if you’re a pepper person, you’re in luck—eppers are actually quite easy to grow and you’ll notice them blossoming during hot days and months.

Many Herbs Are Sun-Lovers Too

Thankfully, many fragrant and delicious herbs don’t mind the heat. One of the most popular herbs to grow in the summertime is basil. Basil actually won’t grow in cooler seasons, so it’s the perfect herb to try out during these hot months. Mint is another heat tolerant herb that will grow like wildflowers in the summer.

Some Varieties of Grass Love the Sun

When you think of grass in the months of July and August, it’s normal to picture a dry and brittle front yard. However, there are some types of grass that actually don’t mind the sunshine. Varieties like Bermuda grass, zoysia grass and carpet grass are just a few of the heat-loving and drought-tolerant kinds, so you won’t have to worry about having a dry and crispy yard this summer season.

Say what you will about the summertime heat being a buzz kill to your usually flourishing garden, but now you know just how many kinds of plants and vegetables actually love the sun. So stay cool, and watch your garden blossom and thrive.