Gardeners have been urged to move their potted plants this week by garden experts. The hot weather set to hit the UK this Bank Holiday weekend could see temperatures reach 24C, perfect for a beach trip or a barbecue. Meanwhile the Met Office is predicting highs of up to 30C tomorrow, May 1.
But just because we’re enjoying the warm weather, doesn’t necessarily mean your plants will too. Last week saw highs of a measly 13C, according to TimeAndDate, so hot weather could be a shock to your garden. Gardening expert Rachel Crowe told Home & Gardens: “Container plants will be the first to dry out in a heatwave so you need to take extra care to ensure they do not perish in especially hot spells.”
Potted plants, hanging baskets, and window boxes should all be moved to prevent the sun from scorching them. Scorching occurs when the plant can’t keep up with its hydration needs, and the outer leaves dry out and are burned by the sun.
The shape and material of plant pots usually means they retain heat. Also, soil in potted plants is shallow and warm, making it more likely to dehydrate.
Crowe added: “Move containers into a shady spot where they will be protected from the heat of the midday sun.”
A corner of the garden that gets less direct sun will work well.
It is not recommended to move plants to a completely different area, such as bringing outdoor plants indoors. This can shock them and stop them from growing.
If this advice comes too late and your potted plants are already suffering from sun scorch, Houseplants Corner says to place the whole pot in some water and thoroughly soak it. This is a last resort and not suitable for all plants.
If a plant is just looking a little worse for wear, experts recommend simply trimming away dead or dry stems, flowers and leaves and watering the soil as you normally would.