As Britain heats up and basks in divine sunshine, you might be burdened with another tiresome chore: ensuring the garden stays alive during one of the most risk-averse times of the year.
With parts of the UK set to receive scorching conditions with the mercury reaching up to 30 degrees, the country might be in for its record summer temperature, which is not so thrilling news for the vegetable patch.
Joe, who goes by @joesgarden on TikTok, offered his advice for gardening enthusiasts, worried for the fate of their plants.
Addressing his followers, he said: “Here’s my quick plant tip of the day: heatwave edition. Most of the plants we grow, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, love the heat.
Joe offered his advice for gardening enthusiasts
@joesgarden
“However, if this gets too high, they can start to run into some pretty severe problems. Luckily, this is super easy to manage, using a method called dampening down.
“In the morning, put some water on the floor around your plants. You can also fill up a small container of water too.
“As this water evaporates up into the air, it will increase the humidity in the greenhouse, which might be bad for us humans, but it will help reduce the heat stress on your plant.”
However, the method is “not as effective” outside a greenhouse, he warned.
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It’s crucial to look after your plants during the hot summer days – particularly when the temperatures surpasses 27°C which is when damage to your plants could start to occur.
Common vegetables that normally enjoy the warmer climes include tomatoes, aubergines and melons, but excessive exposure could cause tissue damage.
As a result, it’s wise to keep an eye out for obvious damage, such as wilting or leaf scorch, which is when the plant’s foliage begins to turn brown around the tips or the edges.
The RHS adds that greenhouses are especially vulnerable to overheating over the summer. “Without protection from heat, few plants are likely to survive unharmed when subjected to prolonged high levels of heat and dry atmosphere within a greenhouse or conservatory,” the experts warned.
Accompanied by adequate air circulation, humidity and shading, plants can withstand high temperatures
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But, accompanied by adequate air circulation, humidity and shading, plants can withstand high temperatures within such rooms – just as they can battle off the heat in the wild.
And, by September, the heat should have cooled enough to no longer pose a major threat to your garden. For the time being, however, it is best to think about adding an airflow into your greenhouse.
“This airflow can reduce temperature, replenish the gases absorbed by plants and keep down fungal diseases like grey moulds,” the RHS added.