Mulch is important year ‘round, but it’s absolutely essential during the summer months for preserving soil moisture and preventing erratic swings in the moisture level. It also keeps soil cooler, which is good for plant roots as well as soil organisms, and controls weed growth. As a bonus, it looks great.

You’ve likely heard that landscape plants need an inch of water a week. That’s a good rule of thumb, I suppose, but I’d double that so long as temps hover near the century mark. You can measure how much water you’re actually delivering by setting several equally sized containers in the garden and letting the water run until they fill up to the desired level. Set a timer so you'll know how long to water each time after that. It’s low-tech, but it works great.

Plan on watering vegetables and container plants pretty much every day. And keep in mind that a 4’ x 8’ raised bed will need about 20 gallons of water a week, and a 10’ x 10’ area will require roughly 62 gallons.

And remember, watering less often but deeply is far, far better for plants than frequent, shallow watering because deep soaking encourages roots to move deeper into the soil, making plants more drought resistant.

Soaker hoses, especially when covered with mulch, are the most efficient way to water, as they direct moisture directly to the root zone without any evaporative losses due to wind. Next in terms of efficiency are hand-held nozzles and wands. Least efficient are oscillating sprinklers (though I use them when winds are calm), and automatic sprinkler systems which, unless they’re properly programmed (and they rarely are) can waste a lot of water.

Yes, early morning is considered the best time to water. But at the end of the day, you should water when it’s convenient, and for many busy folks that’s not early in the morning. Watering at night increases the risk of fungal diseases, but if that’s the only time that works for you, go for it.

It’s perfectly okay to plant annuals and perennials, including ornamental grasses, so long as you keep them well watered. And there are plenty of both that actually thrive in the heat (which I’ll discuss next week). But with the exception of crape myrtles, we suggest you wait until fall to plant trees and large shrubs.

Raising the deck height of your mower by at least one notch is one of the smartest things you can do for your lawn this time of year. Taller leaf blades will promote more (and deeper) root growth and keep the soil cooler, resulting in a healthier, more drought-resistant turf.

Bermuda grass lawns don’t require as much water as fescue lawns, but both will grow best with an inch of water every week. The best way to determine if your lawn needs water is to walk on it. If the grass doesn’t quickly bounce back or your footprints remain for a few minutes, it needs to be watered.

Big-leaved plants -- notably Hydrangeas -- are notorious for wilting in the afternoon because their leaves transpire (or lose) water faster than their roots can replace it, and it happens even when there’s plenty of moisture in the soil. They typically recover overnight, but if they don’t you may need to water. Wilting can also occur in squash, cucumbers, melons, and other large-leaved veggies, and while it too may be caused by excessive transpiration, it can also be the result of insect attack, so be on the lookout for pests.

Some plants, rather than wilting, curl their leaves as a defense mechanism to curtail water loss. Beans do this just about every afternoon, but recover quickly once the sun goes down.

Water isn’t free, unless it’s rainwater, which is why collecting rainwater from roofs and into barrels has become popular in recent years. I certainly wouldn’t discourage the practice, but you should know that the jury is still out as to whether rooftop rainwater is safe to use on edible crops, especially if the roofing material is cedar or asphalt/composition shingles. You be the judge.

If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the garden. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious and very real health hazards. Both can sneak up on you. And being fully hydrated -- a must -- may not fully protect you. So the moment you begin to feel odd or weird (light-headed, confused), or feel nauseated, have muscle cramps, shallow or heavy breathing, or either excessive sweating or no sweating, get out of the garden and into the house immediately.