How to bring back your garden to life after a heatwave?

As the UK experiences record temperatures, garden lovers could be forgiven for wondering what it means for their pride and joy.

When the weather suddenly skyrockets, many plants will inevitably suffer. Fortunately, the effects of heat stress on plants can be minimized – we’ve got a few tips to help you look after your garden, so you can just sit back, soak up the sun while it lasts and enjoy your garden decor.

Harvest Promptly

Remove plant material that hasn’t fully colored up– by harvesting it – to give your plants a break, so there is less foliage or fruits for your plants to have to service.

Make use of the shade

Plants won’t grow as well in the shade, but it will greatly reduce the heat stress they would suffer than if left under the full heat of the sun. Move your flower pots and vases to any available shade, or if your garden is short of any shady areas, you can create your own- old net curtains works, as do white bed sheets!

Stop fertilizing

Pause any fertilizing you were planning on doing, and instead focus your efforts on watering the plants properly for the time being. This way you’ll be helping plants to focus on getting through the heat rather than waste precious energy on unnecessary growing which could damage them in the long run. Many fruiting plants, including tomatoes, beans and peppers have a natural response that reduces water loss and may also drop their flowers or stop producing new ones as they try to cope with the heat.

Be smart with watering 

The best time to water is early in the morning, when moisture is slower to evaporate and water levels can be recharged ahead of the heat of the day. Check soil regularly and water if it’s dry at finger depth. Remember, it’s better to really drench the soil once every few days, rather than merely dampen the surface daily.

Mulch your plant beds 

It is the best way to lock in any moisture that will already be in your soil. Mulches will help to ensure that the roots of your plants stay cool and protected from any plant stress the heat might cause. You can use compost, old grass clippings, or leaves. Make sure to mulch any plants you have in flower pots in your garden, too!

Remember! Don’t give up on plants damaged by the heat! 

It’s not too late for plants that have wilted or turned brown during the heatwave. Watering plants in the morning, mulching to encourage water retention, and providing them with the right shade even after signs of damage could help them recover once the heat subsides.