As the UK experiences a heatwave with temperatures set to reach 32°C on Sunday, August 9, and remain in the high twenties to low thirties for the following days, gardeners planning a summer holiday need to take steps to protect their plants. The brief rain on August 4 and 5 has not been enough to restore lawns, and the upcoming hot, dry spell poses a threat to garden health.
Move Plants Away from Direct Sunlight
David Denyer, a flower expert at Eflorist, advises moving indoor plants away from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out. He suggests placing them in a cooler, shaded spot with indirect sunlight.
Invest in Self-Watering Accessories
Self-watering globes can water plants automatically while you are away. Denyer recommends using a glass bottle with a clay spike or cone, which releases water only when the soil is dry. Alternatively, poking small holes in a bottle cap allows water to drip slowly for continuous hydration.
Deadhead Flowering Plants
Before leaving, deadhead flowering plants by snipping off faded blooms. This redirects the plant's energy from seed production to new bud growth, resulting in more flowers on your return and preventing disease.
Don't Underestimate the Weather Impact
Sudden heat after a wet spell can stress plants, as fresh growth has thinner cell walls that are more susceptible to scorching. Soil can dry out quickly, especially in pots and hanging baskets. To help, mulch borders while the soil is still damp to trap moisture before the heat arrives.
Denyer also warns against cutting lawns too short, as longer grass shades the soil, keeping roots cooler and retaining moisture. The most common mistake is watering 'little and often'; instead, water thoroughly in the early morning or evening to encourage deeper root growth.
