Is it Summer Already? How to Keep a Container Garden Alive During Extreme Texas Heat

Updated July 2026

One thing every Texas gardener learns sooner or later is that summer can arrive much earlier than the calendar says. Looking back at these photos from May 2008, we were already flirting with 100-degree temperatures. My container vegetable garden was growing beautifully—but it also taught me one important lesson: plants growing in pots need much more attention during extreme heat than vegetables planted in the ground.

Why Container Gardens Dry Out So Quickly

• Pots heat up faster.
• Soil volume is smaller.
• Roots can't reach deeper moisture.
• Wind dries containers quickly.
• Dark-colored pots absorb even more heat.

Signs Your Vegetables Need Water

• Wilted leaves
• Dry soil
• Dropping blossoms
• Small fruit
• Slow growth

My Texas Summer Watering Routine

• Water early in the morning.
• Check containers again in late afternoon during heat waves.
• Mulch helps.
• Grouping containers together reduces evaporation.
• Partial afternoon shade can help certain vegetables.

Today is a sweltering 98 degrees! The curse of having a potted veggie garden--everything is thirsty all the time! If I skip a day, the leaves are wilted. Probably due to the Texas heat. It's very unforgiving. The pool has been evaporating too (current pool temp 82 degrees.)

Whether I like it or not, I'll have to drag the hose this afternoon and fill it back up. I didn't realize how low our water got until I turned on the pump and the pool started choking (for lack of water in the filter.)

The Malabar spinach is finally leafing up! I was beginning to wonder there for awhile.

Tomatoes are blooming like crazy...

Large tomatoes growing in pot

So far, three large tomatoes in the other pot (don't ask me which variety, as I forgot.) Umm, I just realized I said a rhyme...

Chili peppers

Lots and lots of chili and jalapeno peppers! (We like these chopped up on sardines and crackers -eaten outdoors of course!)

Bell Peppers

Bell Peppers! I hope I grow a bunch. They are expensive in the grocery stores! (practically cost as much as meat.) Have you seen the prices of carrots???!

Cucumbers are hanging in there. No sign of fruit yet. I still haven't planted the rest of my seeds. How is everyone else's garden doing?

Gardening in Texas isn't always easy, but it's rewarding. Every summer teaches a few new lessons. Some years it's insects. Other years it's drought. In 2008, it was simply learning that container gardens become thirsty much faster than I expected. Thankfully, a little extra watering kept everything growing until harvest time.

Building My Texas Garden Tunnel: Cattle Panels, Raised Beds & Shade Cloth

WHEN THERE'S NO AIR CONDITIONING - Keeping Your Cool