As UK temperatures soar this week, gardeners need effective ways to keep plants hydrated. Temperatures are set to reach 30C in some parts of the UK on Friday, with amber alerts across four areas. The UK Health Security Agency warns that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures.
The baking hot weather presents the perennial challenge for gardeners: how to prevent plants from drooping as temperatures climb. Current Met Office predictions indicate another exceptionally hot and arid summer, with global temperatures potentially hitting 1.5C above pre-industrial levels for the fourth consecutive year.
Mushroom Water: A Natural Solution
Waine Delaney, from mushroom cultivation specialists Monotub, suggests that mushroom water could be the hidden solution to help plants flourish during scorching weather. The preparation is straightforward: take a handful of any edible mushrooms, chop them up, and allow them to steep in your watering can for an entire day. After 24 hours, drench the roots of outdoor plants or containers with the mushroom water once the sun has gone down.
Wayne explained: "Whether they are dry or fresh, mushrooms are natural sponges and are made up of 85-90% water." He revealed the magic behind the method: "When placed in the water of a watering can, mushrooms act as a 'hydration pod'. This means that mushroom-infused water slowly releases into the soil, reducing evaporation during peak heat hours."
Nutritional Benefits
But the advantages extend far beyond mere hydration. Mushrooms are packed with nutrients including potassium, selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These beneficial compounds seep into the water, forming a gentle tonic that replenishes essential minerals which plants desperately need during hot spells, all while avoiding the potential harm caused by harsher fertilisers.
Applying mushroom-infused water to the soil introduces mycelium, an intricate network of fungal threads which function similarly to roots. Steeping mushrooms in water releases matter from the vegetable into the liquid. When this solution is applied to the soil, it encourages fungal activity, helping the soil hold moisture and making it easier for plants to absorb.
Additional Tips for Potted Plants
Even if the heatwave concludes with a substantial, thundery deluge, don't presume your potted plants are receiving adequate water. Container plants may not get sufficient moisture due to the "canopy" effect created by foliage, which can redirect rainfall away from the soil and onto your patio.
Simon, a horticulture specialist from the popular gardening channel Walking Talking Gardeners, has revealed a "genius" trick to stop your cherished pot plants from drying out. Constant watering isn't always the answer; overwatering can prove harmful, potentially leading to root rot, discolouration of leaves, and stunted growth. Excessively saturated soil can also create conditions that encourage unhealthy root mould and fungal growth, causing further damage to the plant.
Simon's trick involves adopting the methods of traditional gardeners from the 19th and 20th centuries, when stone or terracotta pots were commonplace. He explains: "You would be familiar with terracotta pots and the sound it makes if it is dry. If you tap it with an appropriate stick, the pot will make a ringing sound. If it is fully-watered, it would have a dull kind of thud to it. So just by tapping a pot you'll be able to tell if that pot requires watering or does not require watering."
