Caring for Your Garden on Hot Weather Days

We’ve officially entered the heart of summer-like weather here in Omaha, and that means it’s time to pay special attention to one of the most important (and often misunderstood) parts of gardening: when and how you water.

At Benson Community Garden, your plots are thriving thanks to your hard work, but they’ll need a little extra attention this time of year to keep producing strong. Here’s some advice about gardening in Nebraska’s unique climate:

Water Early, Water Wisely

The best time to water your garden is in the early morning — ideally right after sunrise. Why?

  • During the heat of the day, much of the water you apply will evaporate before it reaches plant roots.
  • Early morning watering allows soil and plants to absorb the moisture before the sun gets too high.
  • Watering in the evening can increase the risk of disease, as wet leaves overnight create an inviting environment for fungal problems.

If you can’t water early, late afternoon or early evening is your next best option — but leave enough time for foliage to dry before nightfall.

How Much Water Do Your Plants Need?

As a general rule, vegetable gardens need about 1 inch of water per week.
Here’s what that looks like: For a 4′ x 8′ raised bed, about 20 gallons per week.

During very hot weather — daytime highs above 90°F and nighttime lows above 70°F — your garden may need water daily or every other day. 

Tips for Water Conservation

We always encourage water-wise gardening — especially in hot, dry summers when our local water resources are under stress.
Here are a few ways to help your garden thrive while conserving water:

Target the roots. Water at the base of plants rather than overhead. This minimizes evaporation and fungal problems.

Remember — weeds steal water! Keep your plot well-weeded to ensure your crops get their fair share. Gardeners her at BCG should keep all grass and weeds pulled or cut away from the wooden border (sides) of their plots all season. Not only does it look more tidy, but it keeps the moisture in the ground!

Final Notes for the Heat

  • Try to hold off on major pruning during heatwaves — pruning adds stress to plants already working hard to survive.
  • Keep an eye on plants that constantly wilt or require daily rescue watering — they may not be well suited to that spot.
  • Above all, take care of yourself: hydrate, take breaks, and garden during cooler parts of the day.

In short:
Your plants need you most during hot weather — this is when regular check-ins and mindful watering make the biggest difference. With a little planning and conservation, we can help our garden community stay lush and productive all summer long.

Happy gardening!

 

Kurt Goetzinger
Benson Community Garden

Photograph of the water tanks at BCG

How Our Rainwater Collection System Works — and Why Conservation Matters

At the Benson Community Garden, we’re proud to have an on-site rainwater collection system that helps us use water sustainably. Rainwater is collected from about 60% of the Goetzinger house’s roof. When it rains, water flows through the house gutters and into a PVC pipe system that channels the water into our main 275-gallon storage tank next to the garden shed. It’s an efficient setup — during a good rain, the tank fills quickly, providing fresh water for our gardeners to use.

But with 36 active garden plots, our water demand is high — and when we go through long dry stretches, the tank can run dry. To help with this, we also have a backup storage tank. This tank should be used only when the main tank is empty and is refilled as needed. When the tanks are running low, please text Kurt at 402-714-0290 so he and Jenny can bring out their hose and refill the tanks from their home’s water supply.

During Nebraska’s hot summer weather, water conservation becomes critical. Please be mindful when watering your plot — target the roots, water early in the day, and avoid unnecessary runoff. Every drop counts when we’re relying on limited stored water! With everyone’s help, we can stretch our supply and keep the entire garden thriving, even during dry spells.