Master Gardener Outlines 4 Plant Care Tasks to Avoid During Heat Wave

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When temperatures climb into the triple digits, it’s not just people searching for shade and a cold drink — our gardens are feeling the heat, too. Much of the United States has been baking under relentless heat waves this summer, with scorching afternoons and warm nights leaving plants struggling to keep up.

While it’s tempting to give your flowers and vegetables a little extra attention, master gardener Nicole Johnsey Burke from @thegardenaryco says that sometimes the best thing you can do is simply avoid making their stressful situation even more difficult.

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Here are four common plant care tasks that are better left for cooler days.

4 Plant Care Tasks a Master Gardener Says to Skip in Extreme Heat1. Hold Off On Spraying for Pests

Finding insects on your plants can be frustrating, but a heat wave isn’t the time to reach for the spray bottle. Even organic treatments can cause some stress or damage to plant tissue, especially when temperatures are soaring.

Unless a pest infestation is severe, it’s usually better to let it ride until the weather improves. If a plant is beyond saving, removing it entirely is often a better option than repeatedly spraying stressed foliage.

2. Water the Soil — Not the Leaves

Your plants still need water, but how and when you water matters just as much as how much. Aim the hose or watering can directly at the soil so moisture reaches the roots where it’s needed most. Wet leaves provide little benefit and can encourage disease once humidity rises.

Timing also makes a difference. Water in the early morning or early evening when temperatures are lower and less moisture is lost to evaporation. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day whenever possible.

Related: Yes, You Can Still Plant in July — Here’s What an Expert Gardener Recommends

3. Resist the Urge to Prune

A little cleanup may seem like a good idea, but those extra leaves do more than make your plants look full. They provide valuable shade for stems, fruit and even the soil below, helping reduce heat stress and moisture loss. Save pruning for after the heat wave has passed, when plants are better equipped to recover.

4. Skip the Fertilizer

Fertilizer encourages new growth, but that’s the last thing a heat-stressed plant needs. Right now, your garden is focused on survival rather than producing fresh leaves or flowers. Adding fertilizer asks plants to expend precious energy they simply don’t have. Wait until temperatures return to normal before feeding them again.

During extreme heat, less really can be more. By avoiding these well-intentioned gardening chores, you’ll give your plants the best chance to weather the heat and bounce back once cooler temperatures finally return.

Related: DIY Wooden Pallet Vegetable Washing Station Makes Harvest Cleanup So Much Easier

This story was originally published by Dengarden on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Gardening section. Add Dengarden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.