Throwing shade: How to prep your desert garden for the summer heat

Whether you’re a longtime Maricopan or this is your first summer here, you know it’s going to be hot. The key to sustaining your plants and trees is to understand how that heat will affect them. Extreme heat will cause plants to wilt, yellow and die. Last summer broke 19 heat records including 55 days of temperatures at or above 110 degrees.

By utilizing native plants in your yard, the survival rate will greatly increase. A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region without human introduction. In Arizona, those include the saguaro cactus, brittlebush and agaves. Native plants are low maintenance with small leaves that are less susceptible to heat damage.

Shade is essential to protect plants and shrubs from the scorching sun. The natural shade from trees or walls is helpful, but shade cloth may be useful for sensitive plants like roses. The University of Arizona recommends 30% shade cloth for best results. On a particularly hot day, patio chairs or a hammock can help create shade. Plants grown in containers can be moved to a patio or shaded location.

Water deeply and infrequently, because shallow watering keeps roots close to the surface where it’s hot and water dries up quickly. Early morning watering is best.

Adjust your irrigation system for the season. Check your system regularly to be certain it’s working properly. Mulch is helpful to keep the soil cool and prevent weeds from taking root.

While flowers are wonderful in pots during the rest of the year, succulents, lantanas and bougainvillea are better suited for the summer. Give your plants a break by resisting the temptation to plant, fertilize or prune as disturbances may damage plant tissues, increase sun damage and invite pests.

Monitoring weather conditions is easy thanks to modern meteorological technology, especially when it comes to monsoons. Evapotranspiration, the process by which water is transferred from land to atmosphere, occurs rapidly in our hot, dry summers. The UofA monitors conditions at the Arizona Meteorological Network for Maricopa and provides accurate information at AZMET.Arizona.edu .

A moisture meter can help determine when pots need more water, and a soil thermometer is helpful, too. If you’re using a garden hose to water, remember the first water that comes out may be 140 degrees or higher, so let it run before it touches foliage.

Summer in Maricopa is a great time to keep yourself hydrated, slathered with sunblock and poolside enjoying your beautiful shade trees.

Wende Gehrt is a Pinal County Master Gardener volunteer.

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