Hi Everyone!
Dead wilted flowers in pots. Shallow dof.
Here is a round-up of things to do in the garden during a heatwave:
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- From: countryliving.com Do :Put mulch down in your borders to help retain moisture for your plants. Also, although many established plants can handle the heat without too much watering, give your attention to recently planted ones for any signs of distress ,and water accordingly. If available, use recycled water but not on edible plants unless you are going to cook them.
- From inews.co.uk Do:Although tender plants can do well in the summer, put planting on hold during a heatwave.To reduce moisture loss remove up to a third of foliage.With lawns watering is not essential.They will recover with rain fall.
- Don’t water vegetable plants too often this will just encourage leaf growth.Apply water to the roots giving them a good soaking every 10 days in July(and 14 in August).
- Do keep ponds topped-up for fish, and a fountain though adding to evaporation will oxygenate the water.
- From: cambridge-news.co.uk Let your grass grow taller than normal by, say, 1/2 “. Prune shrubs and trees less during the period.Weeding is very good,and as well as retaining moisture for the plants will also deter garden pests.Move plants(in containers) into the shade and for other exposed plants make a protective barrier with netting or an old sheet.
- From: gardenerdy.com we are advised, although our plants maybe robust in heatwave conditions we should spot those that appear to be suffering heat damage and under stress. These will often look droopy, and may have yellowing leaves.
- If watering, avoid doing this at noon.Early morning before the sun is high, or in the evening, but not too late.But we should try not to wet the leaves only the ground at the root of the plants.This will deter garden pests from damaging them.
- During a heatwave do not disturb the soil so as to minimise moisture loss.
While I have only given some tips from each of our sources so as not to be repetitive, they also mention some or all the above do’s and don’ts.The message from them all seems to be that our gardens are not devastatingly vulnerable to long periods of very hot summer, with careful and selective care of plants and shrubs. Lawns will also survive.You may also be delighted to hear that my begonias are doing very well with minimal watering!
Do enjoy your Summer!