10 Summer Tower Garden Growing Tips to Ensure Success
10 Summer Tower Garden Growing Tips
Summer gardening can be a challenge with scorching temperatures and high humidity. These conditions often invite pests and fungi, which can wreak havoc on crops. Fortunately, Tower Gardens help minimize these issues, but they still require some special care during the summer months. Here are 10 tips to keep your Tower Garden flourishing in the heat.
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Add the Mineral Blend at a lower dose
This is the most crucial tip for summer success! While water evaporates in the heat, minerals remain. Over time the minerals can become concntrated when you continute to add them at the regular dose. Use half the regular dose of the Mineral Blend (10ml per gallon instead of 20ml). When temperatures exceed 90°F (actual, not "feels like"), reduce it further to 5ml per gallon. Your plants and your wallet will thank you!
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Filter city water
If you’re using city water, filter it before adding it to your reservoir. Chlorine and chloramine (a mix of chlorine and ammonia) can stress your plants, especially in hot weather. You are probably familiar with chlorine. It's added to pools to kill bacteria and it is also added to city water to do the same. Chlorine dissipates after 24-48 hours so cities have to add it frequently to keep chlorine levels up. More and more cities are switching to chloramine, which is a mixture of chlorine and ammonia and it doesn't dissipate very quickly at all. A simple water filter can remove these chemicals and give your crops a better chance to thrive
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Keep your Reservoir Full
A full reservoir stays cooler longer, which your plants will appreciate. It also reduces water evaporation, so you won’t need to refill as often.
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Use a Dolly or Rubber Mat
If your Tower Garden reservoir sits directly on a hot surface like concrete or a wooden deck, the heat can transfer to the water, warming it up and causing faster evaporation. A dolly or thick rubber mat allows air to flow underneath, keeping the reservoir cooler and your plants happier.
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Choose the Right Location
If you’re growing delicate crops like lettuce, consider placing your Tower Garden on the east side of a building. This location provides morning sun and afternoon shade, which helps cool-weather crops like lettuce and cilantro thrive even in the summer.
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Adjust Your Timer on Hot Days
If your plants seem stressed in the afternoon, set your pump to run continuously during the hottest hours (e.g., 2–5 PM). This keeps your plants hydrated and cool. Remember to reset the timer to its normal schedule overnight. Watering continuosly can actually cause your plants to wilt so it's not somethign you want to do 24/7.
Personally, I have never done this in Central or South Florida. If you are doing the things above it simply isn't necessary, unless your air temperatures (not real feel) are well over 100 degrees.
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Cool the Water with Frozen Bottles
Freeze large bottles of water (like 32oz Gatorade bottles) and place them in the reservoir to lower the water temperature. Keep a few bottles on hand so you can rotate them as needed. Avoid using ice directly, as it can dilute the nutrient solution.
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Harvest Lettuce Early
Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that’s prone to bolting and turning bitter in summer heat. Harvest it as baby greens instead of waiting for full-sized heads. This ensures tender, flavorful leaves and allows you to plant new seedlings sooner.
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Opt for Heat-Tolerant Crops
While Tower Gardens allow you to grow out-of-season crops, some varieties handle the heat better than others. Look for heat-resistant lettuces and vegetables for the best results. Check out our heat-tolerant seedling options for inspiration!
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Run the Hot Water Out of the Hose
Before filling your reservoir, let the water run until it’s cool. Adding hot water straight from the hose can shock your plants and raise the reservoir temperature.
That’s it! Follow these 10 tips, and your Tower Garden will thrive all summer long.
Do you have your own summer Tower Garden tips? Share them with us in the comments! Ready to start your own Tower Garden? Order yours here.
Looking ahead to cooler months? Check out our Winter Tower Garden Growing Tips here.
