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The UK is a pretty grey country sometimes, especially if you live in an area withparticularly high rainfall. Less-than-ideal weather can sometimes make it hard for gardeners to enjoy their outdoor spaces. However, aUK heatwave is starting to become the new norm in this country, which comes with pros and cons for gardeners.
This blog offers guidance on gardening in hot weather, so you can manage the sunnier months of the year. We’ll cover guidance to make sure you can keep your plants (and yourself) safe.
If you’re wondering “should I water my garden every day in summer?” The answer is not that simple. Much like protection fromthe first frost, managing a heatwave for your plants is largely about understanding how and when to water them. Firstly, consider the watering requirements of the plant as usual – a succulent and a hydrangea are significantly different things! Then, follow these principles in general:
Water early in the morning or late at night to reduce water loss due to evaporation. The best time to water the garden in hot weather is when water can reach the roots, rather than evaporating in the sun.
Take a deep, infrequent approach rather than a light and frequent one. Deep, thorough soakings are essential to nourish the roots during a UK heatwave. Surface watering will grow shallow roots, susceptible to drying out.
Check soil moisture before you start watering willy-nilly. Stick your fingers into soil a few inches deep – dry soil needs watering.
If ahosepipe ban comes into effect, use an efficient watering can, mulch over plant bases and prioritise your thirstiest plants to save water. You can also utilise rainwater by installing a water butt to collect.
Containers, such as potted plants andhanging basket flowers, need more attention than grounded and bedded plants. These plants might need daily watering, just make sure to follow the other bullet points as well.
One of the most common garden mistakes in hot weather is not being mindful of watering, either being over or under-attentive. Follow these guidelines to keep your plants happy! Also, don’t stress about your lawn. Grass will bounce back after a heatwave, so don’t waste the time, water or energy on preening over it.
Even the most sun-loving plants might suffer from heat stress, so don’t be afraid to set up some sort of temporary shade or shelter solutions when temperatures skyrocket. Old bedsheets, garden umbrellas and upturned baskets covered in cloths can be great for shielding vulnerable plants. Make sure any shelter you create allows for filtered light and air circulation.
Other tips include moving potted plants into naturally shadier spots, rearranging based on heat sensitivity and ensuring maximum ventilation in a greenhouse (if you have one).
Caring for your plants is important, but remember, they need someone to garden for them! Make sure to keep heatstroke and sunburn at bay with the following tips:
Drinking plenty of cool drinks during a gardening session
Dress appropriately with a hat, light airy clothing and lighter colours
Wear high factor suncream, focusing on exposed or vulnerable parts of the body
Taking plenty of breaks
With these tips, you should feel especially capable of handling the heat this summer and beyond! For more guides on gardening,check out our blog today!
