The UK is set to experience another dose of summer this weekend, with temperatures set to rise in some parts of the country, but a royal gardener has warned of three common mistakes to avoid.
The UK is bracing for a mini heatwave at the end of July, with temperatures expected to reach 29°C in some areas.
But before you rush out to soak up the sun and spruce up your garden, royal gardener Jack Stooks, who has over two decades of experience at Highgrove, has given you some vital tips to avoid common gardening mistakes in the hot weather. In an interview with Betway, Jack revealed the typical mistakes Brits make when tending to their gardens in the scorching sun.
A key mistake is watering plants at the wrong time. Jack stresses the importance of avoiding watering midday. “The best time to water is very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Ideally, when the sun is not shining and never in direct sunlight,” he advises. He also mentioned that while watering at night can benefit the grass, it is essential to remember water conservation.
“You should only water when necessary and not overwater as this wastes water and can also leach nutrients from the soil that we need to improve plant matter, such as fertiliser or compost.” And for those looking to introduce new plants into their gardens, Jack warns against planting during a heatwave, the Express reports.
With the mercury rising, gardening expert Jack has some sage advice for green-fingered Brits. “Ideally when it’s too hot you don’t plant trees or shrubs because planting them will expose the roots,” he said, stressing the importance of choosing the right time to plant.
“It’s best to plant them early or late in the season so they can get established. In general, I wouldn’t recommend planting anything when it’s really hot because you have to be very careful and vigilant about what you plant.”
She also advised keen gardeners on caring for new plants: “If you plant things, you need to keep an eye on them and I would suggest you only plant small things. If you have plants that were planted earlier this year, you need to water them very well when the heat is excessive.”
When it comes to lawn maintenance, Jack suggests taking a little extra care during heatwaves. “When it’s warmer, you don’t need to cut the grass as short as you normally would. For example, if you cut it in three, you might want to cut it in four or five, depending on how you like it to look.”
He added: “You can do this regularly, but don’t cut the grass, especially when it’s dry – it may turn a bit yellow, but there’s no need to worry as it will grow back.” Jack’s final tip is to make sure plants are protected from the scorching heat.
She added: “Any plants we have that don’t do well in hot conditions should ideally be kept in pots so they can be easily moved into shaded areas or replanted in shady spots within the garden. Some plants that don’t do well can even be brought into the house in a cool, shaded room as they will improve greatly that way too.”
