With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the warmer months ahead. After the unusual weather patterns we have experienced recently, gardeners may need to take a slightly different approach this year. With El Niño conditions expected to continue influencing the 2026/27 summer season, South Africans should be prepared for the possibility of higher temperatures, below-normal rainfall and extended dry spells in many areas.
The good news is that with careful planning, the right plants and a few water-wise gardening techniques, your garden can still be green, colourful and productive throughout the summer.
Start with Healthy Soil
A beautiful summer garden begins below the surface. Healthy soil is essential, particularly when hot and dry weather is expected.
Before planting, improve your soil by adding compost, well-rotted manure or other organic matter. Compost improves soil structure and helps it retain moisture for longer, giving plants a better chance of coping during hot spells.
Take the time to remove weeds as well. Weeds compete with your flowers and vegetables for valuable water and nutrients, something you want to avoid when rainfall may be limited.
Mulch, Mulch and Mulch Again
Mulching could be one of your garden's best defenses against a hot summer.
Apply a generous layer of organic mulch around plants using bark, straw, dry leaves or compost. Mulch helps reduce evaporation, keeps the soil cooler and suppresses weeds. As it breaks down, it also improves the quality of the soil.
Just remember to leave a small gap around plant stems to prevent rot.
Water Smarter, Not Harder
With potentially hotter and drier conditions ahead, every drop of water will count.
Water your garden early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler and less water is lost through evaporation. Rather than watering lightly every day, water deeply and less frequently. This encourages plants to develop deeper root systems, making them more resilient during dry periods.
A drip irrigation system is also an excellent investment, as it delivers water directly to the roots where it is needed most. Consider collecting rainwater whenever possible and grouping plants with similar water requirements together.
Choose Tough and Beautiful Flowers
You don't have to sacrifice colour to create a water-wise garden. Several flowers are well suited to warm summer conditions.
Consider planting:
- Marigolds – colourful, cheerful and heat tolerant.
- Zinnias – perfect for bright summer colour.
- Sunflowers – ideal for sunny gardens.
- Lavender – drought tolerant once established and beautifully fragrant.
- Succulents – excellent for low-water areas.
- Indigenous plants – often naturally adapted to local conditions.
GARDENA also recommends heat-resistant options such as marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers and lavender for summer gardens.
By mixing flowering plants with indigenous and drought-tolerant varieties, you can create a colourful garden that requires less water and maintenance.
Grow the Right Summer Vegetables
A productive vegetable garden is still possible during a hot summer. Choose vegetables that enjoy warm conditions and provide them with healthy soil, regular deep watering and plenty of sunlight.
Good choices include:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Beans
- Eggplants
- Squash
These warm-season vegetables are well suited to summer gardening, although they will still need consistent watering during very hot periods.
For vegetables that are sensitive to extreme heat, consider using shade cloth during the hottest part of the day.
Prepare for the Unexpected
El Niño conditions can bring challenging weather, but gardening is all about working with nature. Keep an eye on your plants, adjust your watering as conditions change and watch for signs of heat stress.
Regularly remove dead flowers, prune damaged growth and inspect plants for pests. A healthy, well-maintained garden is better equipped to cope with difficult weather conditions.
This summer, the secret to a successful garden will be preparation. Build healthy soil, conserve water, mulch generously and choose plants that can cope with the conditions.
With a little planning now, you can still enjoy a beautiful, colourful and productive garden throughout the summer – even when the weather becomes challenging.
After all, a water-wise garden is not only better prepared for summer; it is also a garden designed to thrive for years to come.
