WATER YOU DOING?!

Written by: Lorri Markum

A Mid-Summer Survival Guide for Indiana Plants, Trees & Shrubs

Midsummer in Indiana is survival season. The humidity is oppressive, the sun is relentless, and your plants are one missed watering away from posting their resignation letter. Every year, homeowners either love their landscapes to death with too much water or forget they exist until everything turns fifty shades of brown. The good news? Keeping your trees, shrubs, and plants happy isn’t complicated. The bad news? A five-minute sprinkler session every evening doesn’t count as proper care. 

STOP WATERING LIKE YOU’RE SEASONING FRENCH FRIES

A quick splash every day might make you feel productive, but your plants aren’t impressed.

Shallow watering creates shallow roots.

Roots are like teenagers: if you keep bringing everything to them, they never learn to go anywhere themselves.

Instead:

✅ Water deeply

✅ Water less frequently

✅ Encourage roots to grow downward where moisture actually lasts

❌ Daily sprinkles

❌ Five-second hose drive-bys

❌ Trusting Indiana weather forecasts

TREES: THE STRONG, SILENT TYPE (UNTIL THEY DIE)

Many homeowners assume established trees can fend for themselves. The tree would like to respectfully disagree. Even mature trees experience stress during prolonged summer heat. New trees are especially vulnerable during their first 2-3 years.
Tree Watering Rules:

  • Water slowly at the drip line (the invisible circle on the ground directly beneath the outermost tips of the tree’s branches)
  • Aim for deep soil moisture (typically 12″ or deeper)
  • One long watering session is better than several short ones
  • Mulch helps hold moisture and moderate soil temperatures

Pro Tip: If your tree’s leaves are turning yellow, curling, or dropping in July, it may be sending an SOS. Tree Watering Bags can be a lifesaver, for you and the tree! Fill them up and for let them give trees a slow, steady, cool, drink for the next 5-8 hours, while you chill and relax instead of standing outside for an hour with a slow-watering hose.

SHRUBS: THE MIDDLE CHILDREN OF THE LANDSCAPE

Nobody worries about shrubs until they’re half-dead. Shrubs need consistent moisture during hot stretches, especially:

If your hydrangeas are collapsing by noon but recover in the evening, that’s normal heat stress. If they’re still face-down at breakfast the next day, we need to talk.

PERENNIALS & FLOWERS: THE DRAMA CLUB

Perennials and annuals consume water like college students consume pizza. Container plants are especially needy because pots heat up quickly and dry out fast.
Summer Survival Tips:

  • Water early morning whenever possible
  • Avoid evening watering that leaves foliage wet overnight
  • Check containers daily during heat waves
  • Water hanging plants and containers with drain holes until water flows through the bottom
  • Add mulch to garden beds to reduce water evaporation

Remember:

Watering deeply = life support

THE FINGER TEST: STILL UNDEFEATED

Before watering, stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil.

If it’s moist: Leave it alone.

If it’s dry: Water.

If you immediately encounter a family of angry ants, proceed cautiously.

SIGNS YOU’RE OVERWATERING

Believe it or not, plants can drown.

Watch for:

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Mushy stems
  • Fungus growth
  • Constantly wet soil
  • General “I regret everything” appearance

Plants need oxygen around their roots just as much as they need water.

YOUR MID-SUMMER CHECKLIST

  1. Water deeply, not daily.
  2. Prioritize newly planted trees and shrubs.
  3. Mulch landscape beds.
  4. Water early in the morning.
  5. Monitor containers frequently.
  6. Ignore your neighbor who waters the driveway more than the plants.
  7. Visit a Wasson Garden Center if you’re unsure what your landscape needs. We can help.

DON’T LET YOUR LANDSCAPE BECOME A CRISPY MEMORIAL

The Indiana summer heat isn’t going anywhere soon. A little smart watering now can prevent a lot of expensive replacements later. If your plants look stressed, your trees seem unhappy, or your shrubs have started making poor life choices, stop by Wasson. Our team can help diagnose problems before they become obituary material.

Stay cool. Stay hydrated.

And remember: The goal is to water the plants, not merely provide emotional support with a garden hose.

Need help keeping your landscape healthy through Indiana’s summer heat?
Schedule a consultation with Wasson’s landscape experts today and let us help your trees, shrubs, and gardens thrive all season long.

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