With record-setting heat waves sweeping across California this summer, keeping your vegetable garden healthy can feel like a full-time job. At Verde Design Group, we believe good design starts with good stewardship—and that includes helping our communities and clients thrive at home with 
WaterWise Solutions.
Whether you’re a backyard grower or managing a larger edible garden, here are expert-backed tips to help your vegetables stay productive during the summer and prepare for a thriving fall harvest.
Tip 1: Beat the heat with morning watering
Water early in the morning, ideally between 6–9 AM, to reduce evaporation and give plants time to absorb moisture before peak heat.
Tip 2: Mulch is a must
Apply 2–4 inches of organic mulch (straw, bark, or shredded leaves) to lock in soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and protect roots from heat stress.
Tip 3: Provide temporary shade
Even sun-loving crops like tomatoes can get scorched in triple-digit heat. Use shade cloths, old bedsheets, or lattice panels during afternoon hours.
Tip 4: Avoid fertilizing during a heatwave
Plants under heat stress don’t benefit from fertilizer—it can even cause more damage. Wait until temps cool or after a deep watering day to resume your feeding schedule.
Tip 5: Keep pollinators happy
Skip the pesticides and plant pollinator-friendly flowers like basil, sunflowers, or lavender nearby to support bees—even in urban spaces.
Coming soon: Fall garden prep
August is also the perfect time to start thinking about your fall garden. Here’s what to keep in mind:
When to start
Begin fall seed starts indoors by late August or early September.
Plant cool-season crops like kale, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce by mid to late September in Southern California.
Refresh the soil
After your summer harvests, add compost to replenish nutrients and consider a light till to aerate the soil.
Rotate and re-seed
Change planting locations to prevent disease build-up and give the soil a break. Consider cover crops like clover or vetch to nourish your beds over winter.
Final thoughts: Strong finish, smooth transition
California’s climate makes year-round gardening possible—but it requires mindful shifts from season to season. By protecting your plants now and planning for fall, you set yourself up for continued success, color, and harvests well into the holidays.
At Verde Design Group, we’re not just here to give tips—we’re here to help you design and integrate beautiful, productive gardens into your overall landscape. Whether it’s a raised-bed edible garden in your backyard, a rooftop garden in a multifamily development, or a small plot nestled into an HOA common area, our team ensures every garden is thoughtfully placed, aesthetically cohesive, and water-wise by design.
Let us help you grow with intention—and beauty.
Explore more at
www.verdedesigngroup.com
rebeca@verdedesigngroup.com
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Resources:
– https://ucanr.edu/
– https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
