You certainly can! Summer can be a great time to plant as the days are long and warm, which plants love. The possible downside can seem to be that it is so hot the plants wilt or even die. It’s important to understand that plants are not doing this because of heat, they are doing this because they are drying out. If you think of the tropical jungles of our planet, they are in the hottest parts of the world. Because there is plenty of water, plants absolutely thrive in this heat.

To avoid plants wilting or drying, there are many things you can do. Maintain a watering schedule so your plants have ample water to survive the hot days. If you don’t have time, consider installing an irrigation system. Mulch your gardens to reduce the amount of moisture evaporation out of the soil, which helps save on water costs. Prepare your soil before planting, making sure it is rich in organic matter that helps retain moisture. If it’s hard clay or deficient of organic matter, water may not even penetrate the soil to get to the roots. If you’re unsure, check out our What’s My Soil Type advice page here.