When temperatures soar up to the 30s, your garden can suffer from heat stress, wilting, and dehydration. Watering wisely during a heatwave isn’t just about quantity... it’s about timing and technique.
Here are proven ways to keep your garden hydrated and thriving during the hottest days of summer.
The best time to water is early in the morning, ideally between 5am and 9am. This allows moisture to soak deep into the soil before the sun evaporates it.
Evening watering can sometimes encourage fungal diseases, especially in humid conditions.
Shallow watering encourages roots to stay near the surface, making plants more vulnerable to heat.
✅ Deep watering (soaking the soil 15–20cm down) two to three times per week is more effective than daily light watering.
Use a soil moisture meter or dig a small hole to check how far the water is penetrating.
Overhead sprinklers waste a lot of water through evaporation. Instead:
Mulch is your garden’s best defence against heatwaves. A 5–10cm layer of organic mulch keeps soil cool and reduces evaporation by up to 70%.
Try:
Tip: Keep mulch a few centimetres away from stems to prevent rot.
Tender seedlings and shallow-rooted plants may need extra help:
During extreme drought or hosepipe bans, focus on your most valuable or vulnerable plants, such as:
Newly planted trees and shrubs
Vegetables and fruiting plants
Perennials that are expensive or difficult to replace
Established trees and drought-tolerant species can often survive with less frequent watering.
Fertilisers can stress plants further in high heat, causing root burn and dehydration. Wait until temperatures cool before applying any feed.
By mid-August, herb gardens are at their most generous. Basil, parsley, mint and rosemary are overflowing, and the scent of thyme or oregano fills the warm air.
By mid-August, herb gardens are at their most generous. Basil, parsley, mint and rosemary are overflowing, and the scent of thyme or oregano fills the warm air.
August is one of the busiest months in the British gardening calendar. While summer blooms are fading, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden for autumn.
August is one of the busiest months in the British gardening calendar. While summer blooms are fading, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden for autumn.
When temperatures soar up to the 30s, your garden can suffer from heat stress, wilting, and dehydration.
When temperatures soar up to the 30s, your garden can suffer from heat stress, wilting, and dehydration.
Creating a garden that looks good in every season doesn’t have to mean constant replanting. With the right hardy perennials and evergreens, you can enjoy flowers, texture and greenery all...
Creating a garden that looks good in every season doesn’t have to mean constant replanting. With the right hardy perennials and evergreens, you can enjoy flowers, texture and greenery all...
