A gardener shared three things people must never do to their plants when the weather is hot. After a spell of cooler days and rain showers, a hot weather map has gone volcanic red which shows the UK is set for another heatwave soon.
It’s not just people and pets that struggle with the rising temperatures, though. Gardening enthusiasts may spot their plants wilting, looking dehydrated or even dying. This is because plants need a little extra care and attention during the heat and, like us, struggle to contend with it.
Many people turn to social media looking for tips and guidance from experts and novices alike, all eager to share their knowledge, experience and insight with the masses.
One gardening whizz, Josh, has amassed almost 90,000 followers on TikTok, where he regularly posts videos offering a host of gardening recommendations.
Across his multiple clips, he’s pulled in more than 629,000 likes. In a recent video, the gardener and “fruit tree grower” shared three tips to follow in a heatwave.
Speaking directly to the camera, Josh began: “It’s been 100 degrees (38°C) out here lately and if you’re still out in the garden, there are three things you should not be doing right now.
“First, don’t fertilise. When it’s hot, your plants are already stressed – adding fertiliser is like trying to make them run a marathon while they’re already dehydrated. Just let them rest.”
He then continued: “Second, don’t water in the middle of the day. I know it’s tempting but most of the water is going to evaporate before it even hits the roots.
“Watering in the evening can be troublesome as well, especially if you get the leaves wet because that promotes fungus and other diseases. So, stick to watering in the mornings when possible.”
Finally, Josh added: “And third, don’t do any heavy pruning. It might seem like a good idea to tidy things up but older leaves are providing shade, and removing them can expose tender parts of the plants.
“Now, this goes for your fruit trees and your garden.
In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were keen to share their thoughts. One person said: “Sending this to my husband, maybe he will listen to [you] lol.
“Bottom line is, when it’s this hot, less is more – focus on keeping your plants hydrated and shaded, and save the big jobs for cooler days.”
But someone else claimed: “Nobody has time to water in the morning.”
A third was grateful for Josh’s guidance and said: “That’s great advice thanks for sharing.”
But another person said: “I needed this! Thank you!” while another agreed: “This is so smart!”