Right now as we all know it is hot hot HOT. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly feeling scorched around the edges! And while the temperature is dropping slightly for this weekend its back up the high 30s next week so there is no solace in sight.
If you’re feeling the sting of the sun then just imagine how your garden is going right now – at least you can escape indoors! During prolonged heat spells like this one you’ll need to take action to make sure your greenery survives, particularly if you have young plants.
There are simple steps you can take to ensure your plants survive.
1. Protect the surface of the soil
Shallow rooted plants can quickly suffer from high heat levels, as the soil dries out and cakes into a hard surface layer. The easiest way to combat this is a layer of mulch around the plants to keep the soil moist and the roots cool. Not only does the mulch protect against the heat of the sun, it also reduces water evaporation so that your plants receive as much benefit from your watering as possible.
2. Do your watering in the early morning
It is important to water your plants in the cool of the early morning, particularly if you use the fine mist of a sprinkler. The direct sunlight and rising temperatures during the middle of the day cause water to evaporate quickly from the surface of the soil and your plant will not receive the water it needs.
Hand watering is more effective than mist sprinklers as you can both target and control the water your plants receive.
3. Leave dead leaves alone
Don’t remove dead or burnt patches from your plants during periods of high temperatures. They might be unattractive but they are providing shade and protection for the foliage beneath.
4. Shade from the sun
If your plants are in direct sun they are likely suffering from the intensity of the sun’s rays. For potted plants, move them to a more shaded position until the heatwave passes. Otherwise for garden foliage erect a temporary shelter out of shadecloth either above or to the side of the plant – don’t enclose it entirely. Shadecloth comes in different shade factors which can help you control how much sun to let penetrate through the barrier depending on the needs of the plant.
If you need help in the garden, find your Look Local WA gardening specialist.
