Heatwave alert – immediate help for garden and balcony

Plant lovers can protect their greenery despite the high summer temperatures. A spot in the shade – for example, by moving the pots or using a sun sail or parasol – provides the plants with quick relief during the hot midday hours. However, if clear signs of stress such as drooping leaves are already apparent, potted and container plants should only be allowed to recover during the cooler evening hours. As dry soil absorbs water poorly, the pot should be placed in a container filled with water until no more air bubbles rise.

To prevent this from happening in the first place, it is best to water in the cool morning hours, so that the plant can absorb the water more effectively and it does not simply evaporate unused. An old gardener’s adage applies here: ‘One go with the hoe saves three goings with the watering can’. Loosening the soil creates a more aerated structure that absorbs water better and retains it for longer. At the same time, hoeing reduces evaporation from the soil surface. In addition, a thin layer of mulch made from grass clippings on beds and in containers helps to keep moisture in the soil for longer, as the soil is less directly exposed to the sun. 

The use of drip irrigation can also help ensure that water reaches exactly where it is needed: at the roots. Combined with an irrigation controller, watering can thus start early in the morning – this means not only less evaporation, but also more sleep for gardeners.  

 “Especially on extremely hot days, it is crucial not to leave the garden to its own devices. With targeted measures, we can successfully get plants through the heat.  Automated drip irrigation systems help ensure precise water usage. This allows us to maintain green spaces, which we urgently need for cooling, particularly during hot weather,” explains GARDENA.