In this sweltering heat, it’s more important than ever to ensure gardens stay cool and well-watered to help plants ride out hot temperatures. Weather maps generated on August 5 indicate that blistering heat — with temperatures predicted to hit 30C — is forecast to cover a large part of England soon. The UK has already endured three heatwaves this summer, with another possibly on the horizon in August. In fact, temperatures could soar to 30C in a few areas across the English nation on August 16, according to weather maps by WXCharts. However, for the majority of the UK, the peak temperatures will be in the mid to high 20Cs on, the maps suggest. The staggering 30C heat will extend from areas around London all the way up to Yorkshire as weather maps turn a fiery red.
The Met Office acknowledges dry and hot weather may be prevalent in areas of Britain. Its long-range forecast read: “Looking towards mid-August, and high pressure is more likely to dominate the weather across the UK. This will bring plenty of a dry weather for the most part, though northern areas may see a rather more changeable theme with occasional rain or showers and breezier conditions at times. Above average temperatures are more likely than not, especially in the south, where it could also be rather humid.”
In such scenarios, it’s absolutely imperative for green thumbers to keep as much moisture in the ground as possible, so gardens can survive the extreme heat conditions that are forecast. Luckily, homesteading and outdoor adventuring expert Linda Ly — who runs the award-winning site Garden Betty — has shared her seasoned tips on how to help your garden and plants survive the heatwave.
In temperatures that are consistently over 85 degrees fahrenheit (29.4 degree celsius), most plants begin to lose their moisture quickly — a condition that manifests as drooping leaves. These temperatures are also considered the tipping point for vegetable crops such as cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes, all of which may fail to bloom or bear fruit in the face of extreme heat.
Enter organic mulch: arborist wood chips, shredded bark, or straw (not hay — as that might introduce weed seeds to the garden), conserve moisture, regulate soil temperatures to keep the roots of plants cool in the summer, smother weeds, and add small amounts of nutrients to the soil as they go through the process of breaking down.
Organic mulch also prevents soil — along with any bacteria and fungi present in it — from splashing onto the leaves when the garden is watered, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission.
Apply a layer of mulch, about two to three inches thick, on top of the existing soil, taking care not to heap it around the base of your plants as this could retain excessive moisture against the stems and cause plant rot.
When extremely hot weather conditions prevail, increase the layer of organic mulch to up to four inches if necessary, to shield the soil from the sun and heat. An initial layer of mulch should suffice and be able to take your garden through one full season, however it should be topped up and replenished as needed throughout the year, depending on your garden’s needs.
Garden Betty suggests other strategies to help your garden withstand an impending heatwave. These include watering your garden in the morning or late afternoon, ensuring thorough and deep watering, using drip irrigation or soaker hoses, increasing humidity by misting the plants and grass in your garden or opting for a second watering, protecting heat-sensitive plants from excessive sun exposure, and strictly avoiding fertilisation during a heatwave — you may apply a weaker diluted solution if absolutely necessary.