June, in the Palmetto State, is considered a transition month; Summer officially arrives on June 21, but some spring crops are still producing in the western half of the state. Preparing your garden for the middle of the summer heat now will help you experience fewer plant losses, use less water in the long run, and keep your garden productive through July and August.
Summer Garden Mulching Tips for South Carolina Heat
Before temperatures heat up, add a layer of mulch to your garden beds or between garden rows. A layer of 2 to 3 inches of mulch around vegetable, flower, and fruit plants is ideal. Keep the mulch a few inches away from stems and trunks to allow proper air movement.
A layer of mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, keep the soil cooler during the day, and reduce overall weed growth. Pine straw, hardwood, and pine bark nuggets are all excellent forms of mulch. Make sure the mulch is not treated with any chemicals or dyed for plant safety.
A flower bed is filled with sun-loving flowers and topped with a 2-inch thick layer of hardwood mulch.
Julia Nichols, ©HGIC 2026, Clemson Extension
Summer Garden Watering Tips for South Carolina Gardens
Watering deeply and not frequently is the key to a summer garden. Deep watering encourages stronger, longer roots in your plants. Daily shallow watering can weaken root systems and cause shallow root growth.
Aim for roughly 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week for the garden, including local rainfall. Drip or soaker hoses can reduce water splashing and overall evaporation. Container plants may need daily watering during heat waves and times of drought.
Signs Your Garden Needs Water
Check the soil’s moisture with your fingertip. If the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, it is time to water again.
Vegetable plants can even show visual symptoms of needing water. Examine plants for signs of drought stress, including:
- Wilting in the morning
- Curling leaves
- Blossom drop
A cinder block raised garden bed is filled with heat-loving tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and marigold (Tagetes patula) plants.
Julia Nichols, ©HGIC 2026, Clemson Extension
Summer Garden Fertilizing Tips During Hot Weather
June is typically not the correct time for heavy fertilization. Excess nitrogen can promote tender new growth, which is more vulnerable to heat stress.
Slow-release vegetable or flower fertilizers are preferred during this time to gently supplement nutrients. Check the product label for application ratios and instructions.
Vegetable and flower plants rely heavily on phosphorus and potassium during this stage for flower and fruit production. Always avoid fertilizing drought-stressed plants.
Best Heat-Loving Plants for South Carolina Summer Gardens
Choose garden plants that thrive in full sun and hot conditions. They will generally be more drought-tolerant and less prone to heat/sun stress.
Drought-Tolerant Flowers for South Carolina Gardens
- Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus)
- Marigolds (Tagetes patula)
- Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Drought-Tolerant Vegetables for South Carolina Gardens
- Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
- Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
- Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
- Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)
- Tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica)
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) flowers thrive in their garden bed in mid-August 2025
Julia Nichols, ©HGIC 2026, Clemson Extension
