Every year, North Texas enters the “dog days of summer,” that stubborn stretch of late July and early August when the heat settles in and refuses to leave. The sun feels closer, the soil dries faster, and even the toughest plants begin to show signs of stress. At Two Doves Bees & Gardens here in Wylie, we see this shift every season. Gardens that looked full and vibrant in June suddenly slow down, wilt, or pause altogether. It can be discouraging, but it’s completely normal.
Plants respond to extreme heat by protecting themselves. Growth slows, leaves curl, and fruit production often stops. Figs, for example, may drop a surprising number of leaves during the hottest weeks. This worries many gardeners, but leaf‑drop is simply the tree’s way of conserving water and energy. Once temperatures fall back into the 80s, figs usually push out fresh leaves and begin producing again.
Tomatoes react in their own dramatic way. When daytime temperatures stay above the mid‑90s, tomatoes stop setting fruit. Blossoms dry up, vines look tired, and production comes to a halt. Many gardeners assume their plants are finished, but if the vines survive the heat — even if they look rough — they often bounce back quickly once cooler nights return. A tomato plant that looks half‑dead in early August can suddenly start producing again in late September.
Watering becomes one of the most important tasks during this season. The key is to water deeply and early in the morning so moisture reaches the roots before the heat rises. Quick, shallow watering evaporates too fast to help. Mulch also plays a huge role in keeping soil cool and moist, giving your plants a better chance to make it through the hottest days.
Even in the dog days, some plants continue to thrive. At Two Doves, our figs still love the high temperatures, even when they shed a few leaves. Okra, cowpeas, roselle hibiscus, zinnias, lantana, and salvias stay strong as well. These heat‑proof plants remind us that not everything struggles when the Texas sun is at its worst.
This season is also a time to avoid major changes. Fertilizing stressed plants can burn them, heavy pruning can shock them, and transplanting almost anything is risky. The best approach is patience. Let your garden rest and focus on small, supportive tasks like watering, mulching, and removing dead or diseased material.
The dog days also mark the beginning of the transition toward fall gardening. Even though it feels too hot to think about planting, this is the moment to prepare. Clearing out spent plants, refreshing mulch, repairing irrigation lines, and starting fall seeds indoors will set you up for success when September arrives.
If your garden looks tired right now, you’re not alone. Every gardener in North Texas is facing the same challenges. But this season is temporary. Once the heat breaks, your figs will leaf out again, your tomatoes may start producing new fruit, and your garden will rebound with surprising strength. Gardening in North Texas has always been about resilience — for the plants and for the people who grow them.
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