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Provide Shade and Shelter
When the UV is at its highest, the best way to protect your plants is by providing them with shade and shelter so that the sun doesn’t cause any significant damage to them. They can actually get sunburn if they are left out in intense heat and sunlight for long periods of time.
Identify the most vulnerable plants in your garden that are more susceptible to sunburn and provide them with protective measures. This can be placing them under a canopy or in a conservatory that has cover from the sunlight but still gives them good conditions to grow in.
Wise Watering
To properly water plants in the summer, water deeply and less frequently, ideally in the early morning or late evening to minimise evaporation. Avoid watering during the heat of the day and ensure water reaches the roots, not just the surface as this will allow the water to be soaked up more effectively by the plant. You should also focus on watering the soil around the roots instead of the leaves themselves, as it will keep them hydrated for longer.
Unlike other forms of water irrigation, such as sprinklers that are only 65-75% efficient, drip irrigation is 90% efficient. It reduces runoff and evaporation, while applying the water slowly at the plant root zone where it is needed most.
Effective Mulching
The hot weather and relentless sun can be a lot for many types of plants, which means that you need to find effective ways to give them the protective barrier they need to enhance their growth and protect them. Mulching is arguably the most effective way at providing a natural shield against extreme sunlight and heat. If you place organic mulch around your plants, it can better conserve moisture and regulate temperature, so you will get a much healthier plant from this.
Mulch minimises water evaporation and limits weed growth, giving plants a competitive advantage in acquiring nutrients and moisture.
Plant Pruning
Plants can become stressed if they are overgrown, as it can restrict airflow. In this instance, pruners or hedge cutters can be your best friends as snipping away the excess foliage can reduce stress in your plant and provide them with better airflow that helps with their growth. This will also allow more sunlight to penetrate the plant and prevent excessive moisture retention, which will result in a much healthier plant.
Shaping the plants also promotes healthy growth patterns and mitigates potential damage that can happen when the UV rays are too strong or the temperatures are too high.
Grow Heat Tolerant Plants
Some plants thrive in hotter climates and can be great choices for creating a beautiful garden that stays looking great all year round. Lantana, salvia, zinnia, hibiscus and lavender are all examples of plants that are heat-tolerant and can benefit from high temperatures and increase sunlight. You can also go for drought-resistant plants too, as these possess remarkable water-saving adaptations, ensuring your garden remains lush even during dry spells.
While it’s unlikely that the UK heat will get to a point where you will need to go for heat tolerant plants in your garden, it can give you some more interesting choices and bring a more unique look to your outdoor area.
Lawn Maintenance
Your lawn can make or break your garden, as a well-maintained grass area can vastly improve the appearance of your entire outdoor space. Whereas poorly maintained grass can ruin the aesthetic of your garden. One thing you can do to improve the health of your lawn during the summer is by adjusting your mower height to avoid stressing the grass. A Stihl Lawn Mower is a great choice for this, as these have the latest technology allowing for a more precise cut.
You should also employ proper watering practices, ensuring deep and infrequent watering to promote strong root growth. This can give you a healthy lawn that will give you an amazing base for your flowers to grow.
