Why you should let grass go brown & 6 other ways to summer proof your garden without splashing out – including 60p hack
LAST week saw the hottest day of the year so far, when temperatures hit an incredible 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey.
Chances are you were drooping in the heat, with low energy levels, unattractive sweating and a high possibility of sunburn.
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Well guess what?
When your garden hits over 32C, much the same is happening to your plants.
They lose water through their leaves faster than they can absorb it, causing wilting, while the leaves themselves can get scorched.
They can also stop growing, as their energy levels are reduced.
But in the same way we splash water on ourselves, stay indoors and apply liberal coatings of suntan lotion, there are many ways of heat-proofing and protecting your garden.
And all of them are cheap or free – and very straightforward.
BE CLEVER WITH POTS
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If you’ve got plants in pots, move them into the shade and group them together, so that they give each other protection.
Light coloured pots are best for container planting as they reflect the heat and sunlight, which in turn keeps the soil cooler and less prone to drying out.
Darker pots will absorb the heat, drying the contents much quicker and stressing the plants more.
B&M currently have some lovely light pink and pale green planters for just £2, while B&Q are selling deep white pots for £3.
It’s worth remembering that pots – and hanging baskets – dry out really quickly in the heat and need much more watering.
When the weather’s this hot, water them daily if you can, giving them a really good soak.
Larger pots retain moisture better, so won’t dry out as quickly.
And while terracotta pots look lovely, they dry out much faster than other pots.
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DON’T BE A WATERING WALLY
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There’s a knack to watering in a heatwave – one of the most important tips to remember is not to water in the daytime.
The best time is early in the morning, before it starts getting really hot, so the water doesn’t evaporate. If that’s not an option, water when the sun’s gone down.
Morning is best, though, as slugs move around at night and love the damp soil.
And don’t water all over the plant, however tempting it is to remove the dust and return the leaves to their glossy former selves.
Aim directly for the roots, as wet leaves can cause fungus to form and, in really extreme cases, magnify the sunlight onto the leaves and cause scorching.
But mainly, it’s just a waste of water.
And give them a really good soaking once or twice a week, rather than a light water daily.
Experts reckon you should count to between 15 and 20 seconds as you water each plant to make sure the water soaks down through the soil to the roots.
LET LAWNS GO BROWN
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It may not give the lush, healthy look that you’re looking for, but there is no problem with letting your lawn go brown.
If it’s healthy, it will cope and the green will return when there’s a bit of rain.
Also, if you’re currently thinking of laying a lawn, aim for a much hardier native lawn seed, like fescue.
This will withstand extreme heat a lot better than some of the more trendy varieties.
It’s also worth considering a lawn seed that’s mixed with wildflower seeds. Johnson’s Nature’s Lawn with Mowable Wildflowers (£12.99) creates a lovely blanket of blooms if you’re letting it grow longer in the heat.
It’s also best to raise your mower’s cutting level and instead of collecting cuttings, let them fall as mulch onto the lawn to keep in moisture.
TRAP WASTE WATER
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Save and store any rainwater to reuse in your garden.
A water butt connected to roof drainage is probably the best option, as it will capture all your rainwater run-off from the pipes.
But a stand alone butt is a great addition to any garden.
There are all sorts on the market at the moment, including ones that attach to walls, which are great for smaller gardens as they don’t take up valuable space.
Argos currently sells a standalone 100 litre butt, with a tap and connecting kit, for just £28.
If you don’t have room for a water butt, just leave a few brightly coloured buckets around to catch any rain.
Or, if you’ve got just a few pots around your garden, you could invest in some cheap self-watering plant spikes, which you fill up with water and stick in your planters.
They release water slowly, reducing the need for a daily soak.
Temu has a set of five for £2.97 – so just 60p a pop.
If you’re feeling spendy, you could splash out on a dipping tank.
They’re beautifully designed and act as an elegant water feature for your garden, as well as creating valuable water storage.
The Dipping Tank Company has a 60cm tank for £395 – not cheap, but it will last a very long time.
You could also set up an irrigation system, although these are also costly. A leaky hose can work just as well.
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CREATE A SHADY OASIS
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With a bit of careful planning you can create a beautiful, calming escape in your garden with just a few choice products.
A sail shade is a quick, cheap and easy way to zone off a corner of your garden.
Dunelm’s Elements Grey Sail Parasol is just £15 at the moment.
Put garden furniture underneath it to create a lovely, cooling retreat. Dobbies Esme bistro set in green is currently on sale for £79.20, instead of £99.
You can surround the area with pots of fast-growing bamboo, which will not only add shade, but a lovely calming sound as the wind rustles through the leaves.
It’s best to keep bamboo in pots, otherwise it spreads underground and can cause real problems. You can even be fined if it spreads to your neighbours’ gardens.
Or you could plant banana trees in planters to create a natural shady barrier around your seating area. They grow really fast and add a proper exotic, tropical vibe, while also protecting you from the sunshine.
YouGarden are selling Musa Basjoo, aka Japanese banana plants, for just £9.99 at the moment.
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WATER GOOD IDEA
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Why not add a calming, cooling water feature to your garden?
Studies have shown that the soothing sounds of moving water can reduce stress, lower cortisol levels (a stress hormone) and promote relaxation.
Hydria Life offers lovely pipe-less moveable fountain systems that fit in any pot of 30cm or more for £99.
You can also buy solar powered fountains that you just pop in a dish of water, birdbath or pond from Amazon for just £6.98.
As well as helping you feel more chilled out, water features attract wildlife, including birds, insects and butterflies, helping to boost your garden’s biodiversity.
They’re also known to help block out unwanted background noise, such as traffic sounds.
PLANTS TO BEAT THE HEAT
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On a recent gardening trip to Venice, where it was topping 27C daily and only going to get hotter, there was a definite planting plan.
In many of the gardens I visited there were agapanthus, pittosporum, lavender, wisteria, jasmine, fig trees and great big Fatsia Japonicas.
They were bursting with colour, but most importantly had been planted because they could withstand the heat.
Other plants that will work well in UK gardens include geums, sedums, achillea, hardy geraniums, rosemary and salvias.
Remember to mulch your plants, which means covering the soil around them with a thin layer of protective material.
This could be wood chippings, well rotted manure, gravel, shredded leaves or special garden mulch.
It keeps the roots cool and moisture locked in, while also preventing weeds that can compete for water.
Lidl has 40 litre bags of decorative bark chips for just £3.49.