Tips for keeping your crops alive during a heat wave.

It is important to stop plants shutting down during a heat wave. Unfortunately we can’t  control the weather, but we can adapt and control how we deal with it. Most times, we get advance warnings of a heat wave in the UK and so during the days prior, I tend to harvest what I can, and water more often to build up moisture in the ground. I also fill up my water butts and cover them. It is good to have a quick source of water I can quickly dip my can in to if I see something wilting and I need to water. Here are some other things that I do to help keeps the garden alive during a heat wave.

1. Water early in the morning when it is cool. This will help prevent slug damage, but also I have known it to be in the high 20s at 10pm, still. Make sure that you give everything a good soak and not just a sprinkle. It is better to give everything a deep soak every other day rather than a light sprinkle every day.

2. Mulch. I use bark, grass clippings, compost, leaf mould, stones, rocks (in my container grown apple trees), rhubarb leaves, or anything to cover any bare soil. My daughter taught me too use old hessian sacks in pots when I saw her this last weekend. A mulch keeps the roots of the plants cool, and stops the moisture evaporating.

3. Shade. I have put netting up in my greenhouse to shade plants, and also over some of my seedlings in my waist high raised boxes. Be aware of the colour of material that you are using as you don’t want to absorb heat. Light material is better. I have seen gardeners use old sheets to shade crops of lettuce,and other leaves outside, or hessian on poly tunnels. It is not a good idea to use something like black plastic. I even use my big umbrella to shade vulnerable plants sometimes.

4. Set up irrigation systems. I do have a couple that I bought that pump water from my water butt. They cost me about £25 each. I also use terracotta Ollos, and some water bottles are put in to some containers  upside down with drip holes in the lids. Saucers and trays are placed under pots to retain as much water as possible as well, especially in my green house.

5. Place young seedlings and young plants in a shady area all together for easy watering. Items in pots are also more protected if grouped together.

6. Don’t feed my plants during a heat wave if possible. This can cause weak plants. It is more important to keep them alive over a short period, rather than be thinking about maximising their growth.  I also delay transplanting, and pruning, to avoid stress if I know cooler weather will follow later.

7.  I tend to harvest early in the morning and pick little and often. This also causes less stress to the plants.

8. When I water, I water low to the ground to get to the bottom of the roots of the crops. Sometimes I make  channels or bowls in the soil around the roots for the water to collect, especially in my large containers.

9. Crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, squash and beans that need a lot of water will often be prioritised for a 2nd quick water if needed.

10. When I am short of time and have to go out early, I prioritise my watering. The seedlings first, then thirsty, fruiting crops, and those in small containers will be my main concern. I can catch up with the raised beds later, especially if they have root crops in as these are more resiliant.

A heat wave can ruin crops which is so disheartening after months of nurturing and hard work. However, I have found these tips do make the difference, especially if you are prepared before the heat wave starts, and reduce the hard work of watering. I used to water twice a day when I first started out, but my garden was only watered 3 times during the time I was away and that couldn’t be done early morning. Don’t  worry if things do wilt a bit during the day. They will recover. Do you have any more tips to help please?