The UK is set to experience another dose of summer this weekend, with temperatures set to rise in parts of the country – but a Royal gardener has warned of three common mistakes to avoid
The UK is gearing up for a mini-heatwave later in July, with the mercury set to soar to a sizzling 29C in some areas.
But before you rush out to bask in the sun and spruce up your garden, Royal Gardener Jack Stooks, who has over two decades of experience at Highgrove, has dished out some vital tips to avoid common gardening blunders in the scorching weather. Speaking to Betway, Jack spilled the beans on the typical faux pas that Brits make when tending to their gardens under the blazing sun.
One key error is watering plants at the wrong time. Jack emphasises the importance of avoiding midday watering. “The best time to water is either very early morning or late evening. Ideally when the sun is not shining and never in direct sunlight,” he advised. He also mentioned that while overnight watering can benefit the lawn, it’s essential to remember water conservation.
“You should only water if necessary and don’t overwater, as it wastes water and can also leach the goodness from the soil that we need to improve the plant matter – things like plant feed or fertiliser.” And for those itching to introduce new flora to their gardens, Jack cautions against planting during a heatwave, reports the Express.
With the mercury soaring, gardening expert Jack has some sage advice for green-fingered Brits. “Ideally when you have excessively hot weather, you don’t want to be planting trees and shrubs because when you plant these you will expose roots,” he said, stressing the importance of timing when it comes to planting.
“You want to be planting these early on in the season or late in the season to get them established quite well. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend planting anything in really hot weather because you have to really keep on top of it and really be cautious with what you are planting.”
He also advised keen gardeners on caring for new plants: “If you do plant things you should keep an eye on them and I would suggest only planting small things. If you have plants that were planted earlier this year then you want to be watering them really well in excessive heat.”
When it comes to lawn maintenance, Jack suggests a lighter touch during heatwaves. “In hotter weather, you don’t need to cut your lawn as short as you normally would. For example, if you cut it into a three, you might want to take it up to a four or a five depending on how you like it to look.”
He added: “You can do it regularly but don’t scalp the grass, especially when it’s dry, it can look a little bit yellow but it is nothing to worry about because it will come back.” Jack’s final tip is to ensure your plants are protected from the scorching heat.
He added: “Any plants we have that don’t do well in heat ideally are in pots so can easily be moved to shady areas or replanted in shady spots within the garden. Some plants that aren’t performing can even be brought into the house in a cool shady room, as they will vastly improve that way too.”
