With multiple heatwaves hitting the UK this summer, it's best to know how to keep your plants safe and happy in the heat. Here are 5 pro tips to protecting your plants from the heat:
- Water your plants in the morning, and well. You need to water ideally between the hours of 6:00AM and 10:00AM and water the roots deeply instead of just sprinkling, as this means the plants have ample moisture reserves for the rest of the day. If the leaves start drooping in the afternoon and recover by the evening, the plant is just managing heat stress and you don't need to water it again until the next morning.
- Apply a 1-2 inch layer of mulch (meaning straw, compost or bark chippings) around the base of your plants. This shades the topsoil, cools down the roots and reduces water evaporation around the roots.
- If your plant leaves are visibly burning, drape a shade cloth over the top to filter out most of the harshest sun rays at midday and in the afternoon. You can use a bedsheet for a DIY alternative or you can use horticultural fleece or use taller plants as a natural sunblock and let their canopies absorb the brunt of the heat.
- You should avoid feeding the plants during a heatwave, as fertilising the plants forces new growth that's vulnerable to scorching and puts extra unnecesary strain on an already struggling plant.
- Avoid stressing out the plants unnecesarily, like pruning or repotting during extreme heat. Disturbing the plants like this can expose more vulnerable areas of the plants and allow them to scorch.
You need to be aware of the different levels of risk your plants are exposed to, as hanging baskets, potted plants and young plants are your top priority, followed by fruit and vegetable crops (including things like leafy greens) and ornamental plans at medium-risk, with things like your lawn and established trees and shrubs being at very low risk in the heat. You don't need to worry if your lawn turns brown, as grass is extremely resilient and will return to it's natural green colour again almost as soon as the heatwave passes and autumn rains return.
Frequently asked questions:
"Do I need to water my plants every day?"
No, not necessarily. Often, during a heatwave it's more beneficial for the plants to water them deeply and less frequently instead of a light sprinkle every day, as this allows them to build water reserves which are vital for surviving hot, dry weeks.
"Should I move my plants away from windows during a heatwave?"
Absolutely, glass can magnify the sun's rays and lead to your plant being burned up by the sun and can even lead to fires. You should move your light sensitive plants (like Calatheas or Peace Lilies) away from the window and into a more moderate environment.
