Phew what a scorcher last week! There is potentially more of the same to come. The extreme weather may have left you wanting some pampering, your plants will feel the same.
How to pamper your plants
Plants needs are fairly simple
- Water
- Food
- Protection from weather extremes
Water
Make sure your plants have enough water. Particularly plants in pots and planters. You may be watering them until the water comes out of the bottom, but how much of that is retained until you water again?
Water when the plant is in shade and try to create a reservoir for slow release for longer and less waste.
Use plant saucers to allow hold a reservoir below, or embed a plastic container with a small hole in the top of the compost, upended plastic water bottles with the bottom cut off or used yoghurt pots with a hole in the bottom are ideal.
Water retaining granules within the compost are also useful.
Where possible use water from a water butt.
Food
The hot weather makes it more difficult for plants to get the nutrients from the soil whether they are planted in pots or the ground. Use a liquid feed when you water to help them get the nutrients to keep flowering. This also applies to fruit and vegetable plants. You can make your own liquid feeds using comfrey or nettles. They can be stinky but are effective.
Protection
Very strong sun and wind can scorch plants leave and flowers making the plants more susceptible to attack from aphids and other bugs. Signs to watch for are bugs on the plant, leaves drying or curling or poor growth compared to other plants.
If you spot any of these in a container plant, consider moving the container elsewhere, perhaps more shaded and sheltered. Feed and water the plant to help it recover, and if infested by bugs use a water or soft soap pray to remove the bugs (but leave them edible for birds).
If the plant is in the soil, could you erect a wind break or a sun canopy to protect the plant. Feed and water to help it recover.
Whatever the summer weather, here at Chopwell we hope you are able to pamper your plants and your selves in your gardens
