Britain has just experienced its warmest June on record, followed by a blistering July with heatwaves blanketing large parts of the nation. As temperatures keep climbing, gardeners are struggling to maintain their plants. Herbs prove particularly vulnerable to drought and heat, and with eight million homes now subject to hosepipe restrictions, keeping them alive presents a genuine challenge.
When the mercury climbs beyond 30°C, herbs can suffer from drought stress, and if you're affected by a hosepipe ban it becomes even more difficult to preserve them. Norwegian horticulture specialist Didrik Dege Dimmen, creator of the firm behind the world's first open-system smart indoor garden Auk, has revealed his expert advice for maintaining healthy herbs.
Grouping pots creates a microclimate
One of his suggestions does not require watering whatsoever. He advises positioning potted herbs close together to establish a microclimate and minimise moisture loss. It requires virtually no effort and can prove remarkably effective in keeping your herbs flourishing throughout summer.
Didrik further suggests watering your containers late in the day once temperatures fall to prevent the water evaporating before reaching the roots. For plant pots kept outdoors, it's wise to relocate them to a shadier spot so they don't dehydrate quickly and become overheated in the summer sunshine.
Choose hardier herbs and prune regularly
Certain plants thrive better in warmer conditions. Hardier herbs such as rosemary, thyme and oregano fare better and require less watering than more fragile varieties like basil. Regardless of which herbs you're growing in the garden, they'll all profit from consistent trimming. This promotes bushier, more robust growth and reduces the watering requirements of your plants.
He explained: "With hosepipe bans and heatwaves becoming the new normal, it's time to get creative in how we care for our herbs. A little extra attention and smart watering can keep your kitchen garden thriving, come rain or shine."
