Summer was slow to come this year but now it's heating up with a vengeance.

That blast of heat that hits as you leave the shade? It sears your plants, too. Especially those unlucky enough to be planted where they get the blistering heat of the afternoon sun.

With temperatures nudging triple digits this week, you're likely spending extra time keeping your landscaping hydrated. You're in good company. Gardeners nationwide -- whether they have just a couple of barrels on the patio or a lavishly landscaped yard -- are coping with sizzling temperatures too.

That's why the experts at the Irrigation Association, the national group urging smart water use, have dubbed July "Smart Irrigation Month."

Nationwide, landscape irrigation accounts for almost one-third of all residential water use, totaling more than 7 billion gallons per day. And according to the Irrigation Association, up to 50 percent of that water is lost because of overwatering, evaporation, or just bad irrigation system design and poor maintenance.

Most crucial, say two experienced gardeners, Patti Smith and Lydia McMillin, both of Kennewick, is deep, less frequent watering, even for lawns.

"Little sprinkles don't do anything. You need to get the water down at least 6 inches into the soil. That forces plant roots to go deeper for water," McMillin said. To check, grab a trowel or shovel and dig, said the Washington State University Extension Master Gardener.

"Your lawn might get a bit brown but that's OK -- it's natural when it's hot. Spots will dry out, especially in areas where you cut back on watering but if you have good root growth the grass will recover," McMillin said.

Another way to conserve water is to "irrigate early in the morning or late at night to save on water lost through evaporation and minimize plant diseases such as mildew," Smith said. She's a longtime gardener and district director of the Blue Mountain District of the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs.

What else can you do? Plenty, with a little common sense and these tips gleaned from Smith, McMillin and plant care professionals at the Irrigation Association, www.yardcare.com and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).

-- "Be sure to maintain your irrigation system, check regularly for coverage and make sure your sprinkler heads are rotating and not plugged," Smith said.

-- Put a generous 3- to 5-inch layer of mulch around your plants. Mulching helps to retain moisture and prevents evaporation.

-- "Put your hanging baskets and containers on a drip system or water them twice a day. Pulling them into the shade of a tree or patio also helps," McMillin said.

-- Raise the blade on your lawn mower. Closely cropped grass requires more water.

-- Recycle your grass clippings back into your lawn by using a mulching mower. You'll not only conserve water, you'll save time while mowing.

-- "Deadhead your flowers, keep the beds moist and don't worry if your flower production falls off. That's natural when it's really hot," McMillin said.

-- The same goes for tomatoes. They have a tendency to not ripen in excessive heat. "If you can get them to turn pink you can bring them inside and they'll ripen," McMillin said.

-- If you use a hose and portable sprinkler, buy a hose end timer to regulate your watering time.

Or, consider installing an automatic home irrigation system to eliminate the time and hassle of hauling hoses around your yard. They also improve the accuracy, timing and delivery of water, reducing runoff and preventing over watering.

-- If you already have a home irrigation system, consider upgrading your timer. New technology makes it easier than ever to program and monitor your watering needs. Also, make sure your system has a rain sensor. Many states and local water districts now require rain sensors that interrupt the watering program when a specific amount of rain has fallen.

-- Plant native plants; they require less water and can reduce outdoor water use by 20 to 50 percent. Group plants with similar watering needs together.

-- Install a drip irrigation system around your shrubs, hanging baskets, flower and vegetable gardens. Drip irrigation systems use 50 percent less water than conventional sprinklers.

-- Keep weeds and insects under control. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light and water. Also your lawn and landscape has a reduced resistance to pests during times of low moisture.

-- Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed. Although fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption.

-- Deep water your trees too. "It's an old wives' tale that a tree's roots only go out to the drip line. Actually, they grow as far out as the tree is tall. So for a 100-foot tree they're likely over in the neighbor's yard," McMillin said.

* Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com