Surviving Summer in Your Houston Garden Heat, Pests & What to Actually Do

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we walk through exactly what's happening in a Houston garden right now — the heat stress, the pest pressure — and what's actually worth doing about it versus what to let go of for the season.Key TakeawaysBlossom drop and afternoon wilting in extreme heat are normal — not a sign you're doing something wrong.Water deeply and early (before 9am); mulch 2–3 inches deep, kept off the stems.Pest prevention is a system built in spring — airflow, healthy soil, plant diversity, and established beneficial insect habitat.Vandhana's pest method: identify before treating, invite beneficial insects, use physical control first — spraying is a last resort.Squash vine borer is often unwinnable once a vine wilts; the real opportunity is catching the early signs at the base of the stem.