Help your plants beat the heat with these tips

We've experienced some record-breaking heat this monsoon season, with little to no rainfall. This combination of extreme heat and little or no precipitation can be highly stressful on your landscape, even for desert-adapted plants. 

Here are some simple but effective tips to help your plants survive through our intense heat and what has become yet another nonsoon season.  

Water deeper but infrequently

Excessive heat can harm trees and shrubs, especially young ones that have not had time to grow strong roots. So closely monitor all your plants and trees, even established ones, for signs of stress.  

When your plants do need supplemental watering, increase the watering time so the water can soak deep into the soil—no need to add an extra day. In the extreme summer heat, watering your plants more often is tempting, but established desert-adapted shrubs and trees do not need to be watered more than twice a week. Longer watering times allow water to seep deeper, which is more effective than watering for shorter periods more often. This will help develop strong, healthy root systems that can better withstand intense heat and drought conditions.

Make sure you are not watering during the sunniest and hottest hours of the day when water will evaporate; instead, aim to water early in the morning, one to three hours before sunrise is ideal. 

If monsoon rain does arrive, turn off your irrigation for a few days. If you have a smart irrigation timer, it should automatically adjust for rainfall.

Keep an eye on your irrigation system

Summer heat doesn't just stress plants; it also wears down irrigation systems. Your pipes, sprinkler heads, and drip lines are especially vulnerable to extreme weather. High temperatures and dust can clog, crack, and damage emitters and lines. In these cases, even when your reliable irrigation controller activates, plants may not get watered, or large amounts of water can pool or run off into the street. 

Do a quick check by turning on your irrigation and walking around your yard. Look for signs of leaks, dry spots, or pooling water. Simple maintenance can go a long way. For guidance, check out AMWUA's Smart Home Water Guide . 

Protect your investment in trees and shrubs

Trees and shrubs do more than beautify your yard—they provide energy-saving shade and boost your home's value. Properly placed trees can reduce household cooling costs by up to 25%. But even mature trees can suffer in extreme heat. Check regularly for signs of stress, and water deeply when needed to protect their long-term health.

Give your plants a break during extreme heat

When it is this hot and dry, do not prune, shear, or even lightly trim shrubs or trees. These actions can make your plants more sensitive to the heat and sun. Additionally, you should avoid using chemicals, including fertilizer. Summer is also not an ideal time to plant new trees or plants in your yard.  

Desert summers, like this one, are no joke. With some simple adjustments and regular maintenance, you can help your landscape withstand the heat while still being water-efficient.  

Explore more water-saving tips and landscape resources on our conservation webpages .

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .