You may have seen El Niño in the news this year. The Bureau of Meteorology declared on 16 June that El Niño was underway in the tropical Pacific, and ocean and atmosphere conditions are expected to support it through at least the end of 2026.
For eastern Australia, El Niño often brings drier conditions in winter and spring, and it can raise the risk of heatwaves and hotter days. That doesn't mean summer storms won't come – the Bureau points out that below average rainfall doesn't mean no rain, just less than usual, and that every El Niño plays out differently.
In the garden, it means you can't count on the wet season to do the watering for you. Soil dries out faster between storms, lawns get more stressed in the heat, and plants on the western side of the house cop the worst of the afternoon sun.
Here are three habits that will make the biggest difference for your gardens this summer: how you water, how you mulch and how you mow.
Watering schedules
A long, slow soak every few days encourages roots to grow down to where the soil stays cooler and moister. If you only give it short daily sprinkles, it keeps roots growing near the surface, which means a hot day will dry them out (and potentially kill them off).
Before you water, push a finger about 5cm into the soil. If it's still damp, leave it another day. After a decent storm you can usually skip a few days – check the soil before turning the tap back on.
Early morning is the best time to water. Plants soak up the water before the sun evaporates it. Evening watering can leave foliage damp overnight, and our humid summer nights can encourage fungal disease if plants are sitting wet. There are currently no water restrictions in Moreton Bay, but Unitywater is encouraging the community to use water wisely as dam levels drop, and to avoid watering between 8am and 4pm.
Mulch
A layer of mulch around 5–7cm deep keeps soil cooler and holds moisture in, so every watering goes further. Water the soil well before you spread it, and keep mulch pulled back a few centimetres from stems and trunks to avoid rot.
Summer storms can wash mulch off slopes and into paths and drains. Coarser mulches tend to stay put better than fine ones, and a quick walk around after each big storm will show you where it needs topping up.
Mower height
Lift your mower height a notch or two through summer. Longer leaves help to provide shade for the soil, which keeps roots cooler and allows the lawn to hold on to moisture through dry spells. The general rule is to take off no more than a third of the leaf in one cut, to keep blades sharp (a torn or roughly cut leaf tip browns off in the heat), and mow early or late in the day.
How Jackfruit can help
Our Summer Garden Prep visit gets your garden ready before the heat sets in. We'll weed your beds, prune plants so they aren't wasting water on dying foliage, and top up mulch – we can source and deliver it for you.
For regular mowing clients, we lift cutting heights for summer and keep blades sharp as standard. Our operators take photos after every visit, so if we spot heat stress or dry patches starting, we'll let you know early.
To book a Summer Garden Prep visit, call us on 07 5221 3484, or request a quote at jackfruithomeandgarden.com.au.