Heatwaves and hot spells can stress plants very quickly and can reduce the long-term health and productivity of your garden. If you want to prevent your soil from drying out, your leaves turning crispy and your crops being destroyed, follow these tips!
Prioritise Your Watering
· Dehydration can kill plants in high heat if they do not get enough moisture, but you also don’t want to overwater blindly!
· Focus on your more vulnerable plants such as newly planted trees/shrubs and heavy drinkers such as tomatoes and cucumbers.
· To see if a plant needs more watering, check the soil a few centimetres down; if it’s still damp, wait.
Water in the Morning
· Watering in the full sun is wasteful and can cause scorch leaves!
· Make sure to water your plants early in the morning (6am – 9am), so the soil can absorb the moisture before it evaporates in the daytime heat.
Provide Temporary Shade
· Even just 2 – 4 hours of shade at peak heat prevents leaf scorch!
· You’ll want to get your hands on shade cloth ideally, but you can also use garden fleece or repurpose some old net curtains! Parasols or umbrellas can also be handy for potted plants.
Utilise Mulch
· Without mulch, water dries out much faster and the soil can overheat!
· Add a thick layer of compost, bark, straw, or grass clippings around the plant to reduce evaporation and retain moisture.
Avoid These Common Mistakes:
- Watering little and often – instead, water deeply so it reaches the root
- Over-pruning, which removes the natural shade plants provide themselves with
- Fertilising during hot spells, as this can force stressed plants into vulnerable new growth
- Cutting your lawn too short, as longer grass helps shade the soil and retain moisture. Remember, lawns naturally turn brown during hot weather to conserve energy – also avoid excessive watering!
Stay cool, look after yourself, and help your garden stay healthy through the summer!
