Protecting Your Soil and Microbes During Extreme Heat

As summer heat intensifies, it's not just your plants feeling the burn, your soil is under stress too. And when your soil suffers, your plants can start to struggle. But what’s going on down there? Beneath the surface, tiny but mighty microbial communities are breaking down nutrients to feed your plants, and building a healthier soil structure. But extreme heat and drought can throw this underground ecosystem into chaos.

Here’s how you can protect your soil, and the microbes that keep it alive, during summer heat waves:

1. Water Smart, Not Often

Overhead watering wastes water and evaporates quickly under a hot sun. Instead:

• Water deeply and directly at the base of your plants.

• Do it in the early morning, when the soil is cool and can absorb the moisture better.

Keeping the root zone moist helps your plants grow stronger and gives your microbes the environment they need to thrive. This method not only helps you save water, but also encourages deeper root growth, where the soil stays cooler and microbial activity is strongest.

2. Shade Your Soil

Just like people, plants and microbes need shade to stay cool and keep working!

• Use shade cloths, floating row covers, or even upcycled materials (like old bedsheets or burlap) to block direct sun during peak hours.

• For potted plants, move them to a partially shaded area during heat waves.

Shading helps lower soil temperature, reduce water loss, and prevent your soil microbes from overheating and dying off during heat stress. Watch our video to learn more about creating a quick DIY shade that works for both your plants and the soil!

3. Cover It Up

Bare soil bakes, covered soil breathes. That’s where mulch comes in:

• Use leaves, grass clippings, straw, compost, or the Wood Chips in our Summer Soil Bundle.

• Spread a 2–3 inch layer across your soil.

Mulch acts like a protective blanket. It keeps the soil cool and moist, helps microbes survive and, as a bonus, breaks down and feeds the soil even more!

So why does all this matter?

Microbes might be invisible, but they do all the heavy lifting in your garden. They break down organic matter, unlock nutrients so your plants can eat, improve water retention, and protect your roots from disease. When the summer heat kills off these microbes, your soil system can start to suffer. 

That’s why feeding your soil is just as important as watering your plants. My Worm Manure Soil Booster Products are a simple, all natural way to do just that. They're rich in nutrients and full of beneficial microbes, so you aren’t just giving your plant a nice summer snack, you’re feeding the entire soil community that helps your plants stay healthy and grow stronger. Because let’s be real, the microbes do a lot of the work... but we can't forget about the grower that makes it all happen. Summer heat is tough on people as well as our plants and microbes, so while you’re caring for your plants, remember to care for yourself!