Gardeners are being urged to add a natural item to their soil before the UK summer heatwave arrives. With temperatures forecast to exceed 30°C in parts of the country this weekend, a garden expert has highlighted one essential job that must be completed to help gardens withstand the sunshine.
Why Sudden Heat After Rain Can Damage Plants
David Denyer, flower and garden expert at Eflorist, explained that the combination of recent rainfall followed by intense heat can leave plants more vulnerable to damage. He said: "A lot of people assume that because we've had rain, their garden will cope perfectly well in hot weather, but sudden heat after a wet spell can actually catch plants out quite badly."
After rain, plants often produce fast, soft growth due to increased water uptake. While this fresh growth looks healthy, its cell walls are thinner and more delicate than older growth, meaning strong sun and sudden heat can scorch or dehydrate it much faster. The soil can also dry out more quickly than expected after wet weather, particularly in pots, hanging baskets, and sunny borders. Once temperatures move into the high twenties or above, moisture evaporates faster, and plants that seemed fine a day or two earlier can suddenly struggle.
The Essential Natural Item to Add to Soil
To give your garden the best chance of surviving the summer months, you need to incorporate one essential element into your soil: mulch. David said: "One of the best things you can do before a hot spell is mulch your borders while the soil is still damp. This helps trap moisture in the ground before the heat dries everything out. If you wait until plants already look stressed, you've often missed the best opportunity to help them cope."
Mulching involves adding organic material like wood chips, bark, or compost to the soil surface, which retains moisture, regulates temperature, and suppresses weeds.
Additional Tips for Containers and Vulnerable Plants
Containers and hanging baskets will need extra attention this weekend as they dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. David noted that newly planted flowers and young bedding plants can also struggle because their roots are still shallow and not properly established. Hydrangeas, ferns, and other moisture-loving plants are especially prone to drooping or scorching in sudden heat, particularly if they sit in full afternoon sun. He advised moving vulnerable pots somewhere slightly more sheltered, even if it's just to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon.
By mulching now and protecting delicate plants, gardeners can help their gardens thrive through the heatwave.
