Watering can pose a real dilemma for gardeners during a heatwave. When temperatures soar, how do you keep plants hydrated without water evaporating before it reaches the roots? And which plants are most at risk?
The UK is set for an intense spell of hot weather this week, with temperatures forecast to exceed 39°C in some areas – a new record for June. The Met Office has warned of "severe and significant impacts" from the heat, issuing a red weather warning for parts of the country.
"Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat," said Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway.
But it's not just people that struggle in extreme temperatures. Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don has warned that prolonged hot weather can be challenging for plants.
It's "quite tough on plants," he said, "particularly if they’re in a container, so they do need watering much more often than normal."
Chris Bonnet, horticulturist and founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, shared the same warning.
“A lot of people make the mistake of treating their container plants the same as other plants in the garden, but the truth is they require a different kind of care," he said. “Pots dry out much quicker, so it’s important you water them more during dry spells."
According to Monty, potted plants should be watered every day when it's this hot, ideally when temperatures are at their lowest.
"The best time to water your container is early morning before the sun warms up," he said. "If you can't get it done early in the morning, don't do it during the middle of the day – wait till the evening. Basically, when it's cool."
The TV presenter and garden designer Katie Rushworth echoes this advice.
"To give plants the best chance, they should be watered deeply at the base, either first thing in the morning, ideally before 9am, or last thing at night, after 8pm," she said. "This ensures the water gets right to the roots, instead of evaporating in the midday sun."
How you water is just as important as when you water.
"Soak don't sprinkle," Monty advised. "Water directly to the roots of the soil or the compost and go on until the water is running out of the bottom of the container and then the roots can get down deep and find that moisture."
"And finally, just because you're watering every day, you don't need to feed any more than normal. These plants will grow strong and healthy, even if it's burning hot."
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
