Here are our top tips to help your garden stay healthy, hydrated, and looking its best during the current heatwave.☀️🪴💦

1. Water Early Or Late

Cool mornings & evenings are the best time to water. This allows moisture to soak into the soil before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate, ensuring every drop goes where it’s needed most. 

2. Water Deeply

Give plants a thorough soak rather than a quick splash. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants more resilient during hot weather.

3. A Gentle Shower

Use a rose or shower setting on your hose or watering can. This spreads water evenly around the roots without washing soil away or causing unnecessary runoff.

4. Check Before You Water

More water isn’t always better. Before reaching for the hose, check the soil about 5cm below the surface. If it’s still damp, your plants can wait another day. If it’s dry, give them a thorough watering following the tips above.

5. Lock In The Moisture With Mulch

Think of mulch as sunscreen for your soil! A layer of bark around plants can help keep roots cooler and reduce moisture loss during summer and heatwaves.

6. Reviving Wilted Plants

Been away and returned to plants looking a little sorry for themselves? Don’t panic. Water little and often over several days to gradually rehydrate the soil. Remove any dead leaves or faded flowers, and with a little care most plants will soon bounce back. Maybe ask a different neighbour to water your garden next time you’re away!

Bonus Tip : Think Ahead

If you have the space, consider installing a water butt to collect rainwater from sheds, greenhouses, and house gutters. Giving yourself a free supply of water ready for your plants when the next hot spell arrives.

Plants Most At Risk

Keep an extra eye on hanging baskets, pots, containers, bedding plants, and anything planted this year. These tend to dry out much faster than established plants growing in open ground and may need watering more frequently during summer, especially heatwaves.