August Gardening Tips for Hot Climates

When it’s 100 degrees outside and your garden looks like it’s giving up, Angela from Growing in the Garden reminds us that it’s not too late — it’s just August.

In this video, she walks through what you *actually* need to do this month to keep things alive, prep for fall, and avoid making mistakes that will haunt you in September. From when to chop cover crops to how deep to water your citrus trees, it’s full of no-nonsense tips for beating the heat, dealing with pests, and getting your soil back in shape without losing your mind.

If you’re gardening in the Southwest or anywhere with brutal summers, this is the video you want. We’ve pulled the top takeaways and packed them into a guide you can skim and actually use — even if it’s too hot to think straight.

 

Prep Beds Now or Pay Later

If your raised beds look tired and the soil has sunk an inch or two, you’re not imagining it. Organic matter breaks down, plants pull nutrients out, and roots take their toll. Angela shows exactly how to revive a bed so it’s ready for serious fall planting.

First, clear out any old roots or leftover crops. Then layer in worm castings — about a pound per 40 square feet — and spread them evenly. Next, add at least an inch of compost. More if your soil level is low. If the bed is still shallow, finish it off with some fresh raised bed mix. That’s it. No fancy formulas. Just layering and replenishing.

If your plants struggled or things just didn’t grow well, test your soil before adding fertilizer. And if you’re not planting until late September or October, keep your cover crops going a bit longer or plant a quick one like buckwheat. Just remember to chop it down two to three weeks before planting so it has time to break down.

Show Up Daily or Lose Control

August isn’t the month to disappear on your garden. Even if it’s blazing hot, the best thing you can do is check in every day. Angela says this is how you catch problems early and keep pests from turning a rough season into a full collapse.

Start by removing anything that’s dead, diseased, or just not doing well. If a plant is covered in pests or has stopped growing, don’t wait. Pull it and make space for something that might actually thrive. Overripe crops, fallen fruit, and plant debris? Clean it all up. That junk is a pest party waiting to happen.

If your tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants are barely hanging on, look for new growth low on the stems. That’s your sign. Cut the plant back to that point, feed it with compost and worm castings, and you’ll likely get a fresh round of fruit by fall. If the plant still looks decent, no need to cut — just keep it supported and harvested.

Fruiting Crops in a Holding Pattern

August is a weird month. Some plants are still producing. Others are stalling. Angela walks us through what to expect and how to make smart calls on what stays and what goes.

If your melons, cucumbers, or Armenian varieties are still setting fruit, leave them. But if production has slowed and the vines are looking rough, it might be time to pull them and prepare the bed for fall. Same goes for beans. Some might just be starting to flower. Others are already done. Watch closely and decide case by case.

Sweet potatoes are just getting started. This is the month they begin bulking up underground. If the vines are sprawling and happy, let them run. Same with okra. If it hasn’t started producing yet, don’t panic. It probably will once temperatures drop a few degrees.

Roselle plants? You’re playing the long game there. No flowers yet, but the bigger they get now, the more fruit you’ll get later. Keep feeding them and give them space to grow.

Pests You’ll Definitely See This Month

Angela doesn’t sugarcoat it. August is bug central. If something’s crawling, chewing, or fluttering, it probably showed up this week. The only way to keep things under control is daily action and a bucket of soapy water at arm’s reach.

Grasshoppers are active. Handpick them when you can and hope the birds help. Spider mites love dry heat, so spraying down plants with water helps keep them at bay. Squash bugs, tomato hornworms, three-lined potato beetles, leaf-footed bugs — all of them are on the menu this month. Most can be dealt with by handpicking and staying consistent.

Whiteflies look like a puff of powder when you brush the leaves. If you spot them early, mix a teaspoon of Dawn in a spray bottle, spray the affected leaves daily, then rinse with clean water to avoid leaf burn. Do it in the morning or evening when the sun is low.

Roly-polies may be the reason your seeds aren’t sprouting. They love bean and melon seedlings. A small amount of iron phosphate snail bait at planting can stop them without harming worms or pets.

Milkweed bugs? Let them be. Cicadas buzzing every night? Totally normal. Their empty shells might creep you out, but they don’t harm plants and don’t need any treatment.

Flowers, Seeds, and Fall Bloom Plans

August isn’t just about survival. It’s also the time to prep for your future flower show. Angela reminds us that if you want blooms in fall and spring, the work starts now. That means deadheading, feeding, and yes, seed saving.

Keep your summer bloomers like zinnias and gomphrena deadheaded to encourage more flowers. If you’ve got container flowers that still look decent, give them a light dose of fertilizer this month to keep the blooms coming a little longer.

Planning a wildflower garden for fall? Now is the time to order your seeds. Don’t wait until October to start scrambling. And if you’re a fan of ranunculus or anemones, order your corms now and store them in a cool, dry place until planting time.

Seed saving is simple. Let your favorite flower heads dry completely on the plant. Once they’re brown and crispy, you’ll know the seeds are ready. Snip them off, collect the seeds, and stash them somewhere cool and dry until spring.

Flowers, Seeds, and Fall Bloom Plans

August isn’t just about survival. It’s also the time to prep for your future flower show. Angela reminds us that if you want blooms in fall and spring, the work starts now. That means deadheading, feeding, and yes, seed saving.

Keep your summer bloomers like zinnias and gomphrena deadheaded to encourage more flowers. If you’ve got container flowers that still look decent, give them a light dose of fertilizer this month to keep the blooms coming a little longer.

Planning a wildflower garden for fall? Now is the time to order your seeds. Don’t wait until October to start scrambling. And if you’re a fan of ranunculus or anemones, order your corms now and store them in a cool, dry place until planting time.

Seed saving is simple. Let your favorite flower heads dry completely on the plant. Once they’re brown and crispy, you’ll know the seeds are ready. Snip them off, collect the seeds, and stash them somewhere cool and dry until spring.

Fruit Trees, Deep Watering, and Salt Trouble

If your fruit trees are looking a little stressed, you’re not alone. August is brutal. Angela says the most important thing right now is consistent deep watering. Curled leaves, sunburned fruit, and early drop-offs are all signs your tree is struggling to keep up.

Don’t prune this month. Just focus on cleanup. Pick up fallen or split fruit quickly so it doesn’t attract pests. If you’re growing citrus, now’s the time for one final round of fertilizer. Angela recommends a mix of worm castings, compost, and mulch for a gentle, effective boost. Water well before and after applying.

If your tomatoes or pomegranates are splitting, that’s a watering issue. Try to keep things steady. No big droughts followed by heavy soaking. It stresses the plants and ruins the fruit. And remember, salt builds up in the soil during summer. Once this month, water twice as deep to flush it out. Your roots will thank you.

To check if you’re watering deep enough, use a soil probe or a long screwdriver. It will stop once it hits dry soil. For reference: trees need water about 3 feet deep, landscape plants around 2 feet, and annuals about 1 foot.

Landscape Plants That Can Handle August

If you’re tempted to plant something new right now, hold that thought. Angela says August is only a good planting month for one thing: desert-hardy trees and cactus. The soil is warm, which helps them establish quickly, but that’s where the good news ends. Most other plants will suffer in the heat, so it’s best to wait until fall.

For your existing shrubs and trees, skip the topping. That harsh haircut weakens the plant and invites disease. Instead, prune lightly by removing inner branches to improve airflow and reduce storm damage. If you do get broken limbs after a storm, prune back to a main branch with a clean cut. That heals better and keeps things tidy.

Look around your yard. If a plant is barely hanging on, there’s probably a reason. Too much sun, not enough water, or simply a bad fit for your zone. Make a note to move or replace it when the weather cools down. Some plants like cypress trees are especially vulnerable to spider mites. A weekly hose-down helps stop an infestation before it starts.

Also, rain is coming. Maybe. If you get at least half an inch, you can skip your next scheduled watering. Use gutters, berms, or swales to redirect that precious moisture and keep it in your yard. Angela even hooked her rain tank into her sprinkler system. That’s next-level water smarts.

Containers, Seedlings, and Watering Routine

Container gardening in August takes some finesse. Angela says to leave the tiny pots alone for now. It’s too hot and they dry out too fast. If you’ve got larger containers, top them off with fresh raised bed mix and keep watering consistent. Every other day is the norm right now, but by the end of the month, you might get away with every three days.

Got seedlings inside? Check the roots. If they’re crowding the pot, it’s time to move them into a bigger one. You’re not planting them out yet, but they need space to keep growing strong. And don’t forget to feed them. Use a diluted seaweed and fish emulsion mix every other watering once they have a few sets of true leaves.

When it comes to your watering routine, consistency is everything. Angela recommends watering trees 3 feet deep, landscape plants 2 feet, and annuals about 1 foot. If you’re not sure, grab a soil probe or a long screwdriver. It stops when the soil is dry. That tells you how deep your water is going.

Her own schedule? Watering grids every 2 days, moving to every 3 later in the month. High-water trees and shrubs get soaked every 7 to 10 days. Desert-adapted plants can go 7 to 21 depending on size. Use these numbers as a guide, but let the soil tell you what it needs.

Your August Garden Isn’t Done Yet

August might feel like the garden wants to quit, but the truth is, it just needs a little backup. A few smart moves now will make the transition into fall smoother, healthier, and way more productive. Whether you’re topping off beds, yanking tired plants, or just trying to keep the watering routine steady, every bit of effort helps.

Angela’s advice boils down to this: show up, stay consistent, and plan ahead. You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick the parts that matter most in your space. If you’re prepping for cool-season crops, think long game. If your tomatoes need a trim, give them the comeback they deserve.

Fall planting is just around the corner. Keep the momentum going, and your garden will thank you with fresh blooms, new greens, and maybe even a better second round than the first.