Temperatures have surged across the UK this week, and gardeners will be mindful of their grass. The mercury has surpassed 30C in some areas of the nation, and further highs are expected this weekend.
The heat can slow the growth of grass and cause it to wilt. The high temperatures increase the rate at which grass loses water, so it’s important to know when and how much to water your lawn. An expert has revealed the best time to water your grass during this heatwave.
According to Homes and Gardens, the best time to water is early in the morning. As temperatures are generally cooler at this time, there is less chance of the water evaporating.
The experts explained: “Watering the garden early in the morning before the day has started to warm up is another way to reduce the need for irrigating. By irrigating in the cool of the day, you will be watering most efficiently, as any evaporation, if any, will be minimal and you will be providing moisture for the plants to use when they are transpiring most during the day.”
They added: “Furthermore, through watering in the early morning rather than early evening, you are potentially discouraging slugs and snails from being drawn towards your plants and fungal diseases from developing on wet foliage overnight.”
While it is also important to water grass more as temperatures rise, experts say gardeners shouldn’t overwater in the summer. It can actually have a detrimental effect on your lawn.
Experts from MyBuilder.com said: “Many people think that tipping excess water, such as paddling pool water, on the grass is helping it thrive. However, you are actually risking overwatering and waterlogging your grass, which could potentially destroy the area.
“Instead, use the water to water any other plants or to pour into different corners of your garden, distributing the water in various places.”
There are also a number of myths about how to protect grass from heat damage. One myth is that putting a mat or rug under paddling pools or garden objects will save grass.
This actually prevents oxygen and sunlight from reaching the grass, which can cause damage. For this reason, experts recommend avoiding putting anything under garden objects.