How to Help Your Garden Thrive During a Heatwave

When the temperatures soar, it’s not just we who feel the effects – our gardens do too. Long, hot days can leave lawns looking tired, flowers wilting and vegetables struggling to cope. The good news is that with a few simple changes to your gardening routine, you can help your plants stay healthy and continue looking their best throughout the hottest spells.

Water Wisely

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make during a heatwave is watering little and often. Instead, give your plants a thorough soak a few times a week. Deep watering encourages roots to grow further into the soil, making plants more resilient to dry conditions.

The best times to water are:

• Early morning before the sun becomes strong.
• Late evening once temperatures begin to cool.

Avoid watering during the middle of the day, as much of the moisture will evaporate before it reaches the roots.

Don’t Forget Your Containers

Plants growing in pots and hanging baskets dry out much faster than those planted in the ground. During very hot weather they may need watering every day, and sometimes even twice daily.

Check the compost by inserting your finger a couple of inches below the surface. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.

Adding water-retaining gel or placing saucers beneath pots can also help reduce moisture loss.

Mulch Makes a Big Difference

Applying a generous layer of mulch around your plants helps lock moisture into the soil, reduces evaporation and keeps roots cooler.

Organic mulches such as bark, compost or well-rotted manure are excellent choices and have the added benefit of improving soil health as they break down.

Give Your Lawn a Break

A brown lawn during a heatwave isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grass naturally goes dormant in prolonged dry weather and will usually recover when rain returns.

Raise the cutting height on your mower and avoid cutting the grass too short. Longer blades help shade the soil and retain moisture.

If water supplies are limited, prioritise watering newly planted trees, shrubs and flower beds rather than established lawns.

Protect More Delicate Plants

Some plants, particularly young plants and recent purchases, can struggle in intense sunshine.

Move containers into partial shade where possible or use garden fleece, shade netting or even a parasol to provide temporary protection during the hottest part of the day.

Deadhead and Harvest Regularly

Removing faded flowers encourages many bedding plants to continue blooming rather than putting energy into producing seed.

If you’re growing fruit and vegetables, harvest them regularly. Courgettes, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers all benefit from frequent picking, helping plants remain productive throughout the summer.

Avoid Feeding Stressed Plants

It can be tempting to give struggling plants a boost with fertiliser, but during extreme heat they’re already under stress.

Wait until temperatures cool or after rainfall before applying liquid feeds or fertilisers. Always water plants well before feeding.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests

Hot, dry weather often encourages pests such as aphids, red spider mites and whitefly.

Inspect plants regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, so you can tackle problems before they become established.

Think About Your Wildlife

Birds, bees and other garden visitors also need extra help during hot weather.

Leave shallow dishes of fresh water around the garden, topping them up daily. Bees will also appreciate water with a few pebbles or stones to land on safely.

Plan Ahead for Future Summers

As our summers become warmer, consider introducing drought-tolerant plants into your borders. Lavender, salvias, sedum, rosemary, ornamental grasses and many Mediterranean plants cope exceptionally well with periods of dry weather once established.

Improving your soil with organic matter throughout the year will also increase its ability to retain moisture when you need it most.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re unsure which plants are best suited to sunny gardens, need advice on watering or are looking for products to help your garden cope with the heat, visit our Plant Canopy. Our knowledgeable team are always happy to offer advice and help you choose the right plants, composts, mulches and feeds to keep your garden flourishing all summer long.

With a little extra care during a heatwave, your garden can continue to look vibrant, healthy and full of life – even when the temperatures are at their highest.