Managing soil moisture in your lawn and garden

As summer temperatures rise, maintaining a healthy lawn and garden doesn’t mean watering more often — it means watering more wisely.

The key to building drought tolerance in your grass and vegetables is encouraging deep root growth early in the season. Strong, deep roots help plants access moisture during the hottest months, keeping them vigorous and productive when water is scarce.

Watering deeply

Drought tolerance starts with your watering habits in the spring. Instead of watering every day, aim to water deeply just once a week. This encourages plant roots to grow downward in search of water, rather than staying near the surface where the soil dries out quickly. Deep watering strengthens root systems and helps plants better withstand the summer heat.

To be effective, deep watering means applying one inch of water over the entire surface of your lawn or garden. One inch of water typically soaks about one foot deep into the soil, which is the ideal root zone for most plants.

If you’re unsure how long it takes your sprinklers to apply one inch, try this simple test. Set out a tuna can (which is about one inch deep) or a cup marked one inch from the bottom. Run your sprinklers and time how long it takes to fill the container to the one-inch mark. That’s how long you’ll need to run your system during each watering.

Watering more often with smaller amounts keeps roots shallow and vulnerable. Starting a once-a-week deep watering routine early in the season will train your lawn and garden to become more drought-resistant.

Other moisture management techniques

In addition to proper watering, there are several other ways to help your plants retain moisture and thrive in dry conditions.

Mulch is one of the most effective tools for water conservation. A layer of organic mulch—such as bark, straw, or compost—helps shade the soil, suppresses weeds, and reduces water loss through evaporation.

It also lowers soil temperatures, which means less stress for your plants. Apply 3–4 inches of mulch around your plants, keeping it a few inches away from stems to prevent rot and pest issues.

Drip irrigation is another smart strategy. It delivers water directly to the base of each plant, minimizing waste and ensuring that only the plants you want to grow receive water. This reduces competition from weeds and keeps plant leaves dry, which is important because wet foliage creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases.

Overhead sprinklers, while convenient, can increase disease risk in vegetable gardens by splashing water onto the leaves. Drip systems help prevent this and conserve water at the same time.

Another simple but often overlooked strategy is to raise the height of your lawn mower. Avoid cutting your grass too short—longer grass shades the soil, keeping it cooler and reducing moisture loss through evaporation. It also protects the crown of the grass plant, where the growing point is located, resulting in healthier, more resilient turf. Additionally, keep your mower blades sharp. Sharp blades make clean cuts, while dull blades tear the grass. Torn grass blades suffer more damage, leaving them vulnerable to disease. Regularly sharpening your mower blades improves lawn health and appearance.

By combining deep weekly watering with mulching, efficient irrigation, and good mowing practices, you can build a resilient landscape that thrives—even during a hot, dry summer. A little thoughtful planning in the spring leads to healthier, stronger plants all season long.