Phew! What a scorcher!
The heat is on in the UK and our gardens are stressed. Last time we gave some tips to help use water effectively keep plants growing. Since then there has been no rain and what was dry is now parched.
Plants in pots
Rather than watering daily, we recommend soaking plants in pots for 24 hours at a time, and preferably in the shade. Half fill a bucket of water, add some plant feed, then put the plant pot in the bucket and leave.
Twenty-four hours later take the plant pot out and place on a saucer to catch the residual water.
Top up the water in the bucket and repeat with another plant in a pot.
Plants in the garden
Even well-established plants are feeling stressed. This can result in poor or no fruiting and flowers. As long as the leaves look healthy, the plant is fine, it is adapting to the hot conditions by minimising its efforts.
If the leaves are curling or starting to drop again this is a natural reaction to the heat. Still unsure? If the wilting leaves are on a woody stem, take a sharp knife and scrape a little patch of bark away from the stem. Green under the bark shows the stem is fine.
The temptation is to water, but this can be counterproductive. The plant roots will move towards the soil surface where they amy get scorched.
Trees and shrubs.
If you have established trees or shrubs that are wilting, losing leaves, and looking unwell, please contact us at Chopwell. This heat and extended dry spell can expose underlying problems with trees that could result in loss of branches or even the whole tree and that may pose a danger. Our team can quickly assess whether the tree is reacting to the conditions or if there is something more serious going on. We will advise how to help the tree and to keep you safe.
