As Britain braces for another blistering summer, a top gardening expert has revealed five crucial rules to prevent your precious plants from withering in the scorching heat. These simple yet effective strategies could mean the difference between a thriving oasis and a parched wasteland.
The Watering Wisdom: Timing is Everything
One of the most critical mistakes gardeners make is watering at the wrong time. The golden hour for hydration is first thing in the morning, before the sun reaches its peak intensity. This allows water to penetrate deep into the soil, reaching the roots where it's needed most, rather than evaporating into the hot air.
Evening watering might seem logical, but it can leave foliage damp overnight, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases and slugs.
Embrace the Shade: Create Natural Sun Protection
Just like humans, plants can get sunburned. Strategic shading is essential during heatwaves. Use garden parasols, shade cloth, or even strategically placed taller plants to create protective cover for more delicate specimens.
Potted plants are particularly vulnerable as their roots heat up quickly in containers. Move them to shaded areas or group them together to create a more humid microclimate that reduces water loss.
Mulch: Your Garden's Best Insulator
Applying a thick layer of organic mulch around your plants acts like a protective blanket for the soil. It significantly reduces water evaporation, keeps roots cooler, and suppresses weed growth that competes for precious moisture.
Well-rotted compost, bark chippings, or even straw can serve as excellent mulch materials. Apply a layer 2-3 inches thick around plants, taking care not to mound it against stems.
Hold the Fertiliser: Avoid Encouraging New Growth
It might seem counterintuitive, but you should stop feeding plants during extreme heat. Fertiliser encourages new growth, which is particularly vulnerable to heat damage. Instead, let plants focus their energy on survival rather than expansion.
Resume feeding once temperatures return to normal and plants show signs of recovery.
Know When to Step Back: The Art of Non-Intervention
Some plants have natural survival mechanisms for drought conditions. Lawns may turn brown, but this is often a dormant state rather than death. The grass will likely recover with autumn rains.
Similarly, some plants drop leaves to reduce water loss. Don't be too quick to write them off – many will bounce back when conditions improve.
By following these expert guidelines, UK gardeners can help their green spaces not just survive, but potentially thrive through the challenging summer months ahead.
