With temperatures soaring, we’re not the only ones who are feeling parched — our plants are also bearing the brunt of extreme temperatures. Beyond simply adjusting your seasonal lawn care routine, it is vital to adopt strategies that ensure your plants can withstand the heatwave.
Whether you have favorite houseplants, raised beds, or tasty tomato plants, you’ll need to know how to protect them in scorching temperatures. If not, your plants will struggle in the sun and eventually die. Luckily, we’ve got a gardening expert at hand to offer a few top tips that can help your plants thrive and survive the summer.
1. Water at the right time of day
While it might be tempting to water your plants more when the weather is scorching, timing is actually everything.
Experts advise watering your garden either in the early morning or the evening once temperatures are cooler. By watering during these cooler hours, your plants can soak up the water rather than just evaporating.
“When it comes to watering, it’s important to water deeply at the coolest points of the day,” states Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.
“If it’s too hot, the water will just evaporate, and your plants won’t benefit.”
In addition, you should aim to give the roots a deep watering, as this will be much more effective than light and frequent watering.
And if you want to retain moisture for extended periods, add a layer of mulch around the base of your plants. “Adding a generous layer of mulch at the base of your plants will help improve the soil structure and will allow the soil to retain water for longer.”
So not only does it help to retain moisture in the soil, but acts as an insulator against the sun's UV rays.
If you want more top tips check out when you should replace mulch — and why it's essential.
2. Throw some shade
Another top tip is to move potted plants out of the sun and into shaded areas during the hottest part of the day. Just like us, this will provide our plants with some light relief and keep them cool.
“For plants that can’t be moved, or heavy pots, cover them with a shade cloth or make your own temporary one out of an old fitted bed sheet,” adds Bonnett.
Young or newly established plants will especially struggle in scorching temperatures — protect them by creating temporary cover with a shade cloth.
3. Stay away from fertilizers
A common mistake we often make is to add fertilizers to our wilting plants, but experts advise to steer clear of using in a heatwave.
“Stay away from fertilizing the lawn or plants during a heatwave,” agrees Bonnett. “Not only can they burn plants but fertilizers encourage new growth which can stress plants and cause them more harm than good.
Similarly, avoid pruning while the sun is at its peak. Cutting back growth now can place additional, unwanted pressure on your greenery — it is far better to hold off until the mercury begins to fall.
For more summer gardening tips, check out can you plant in a heatwave?
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