The hot weather set to hit the UK this Bank Holiday weekend could see temperatures reach 24C, perfect for a beach trip or a barbecue. But gardeners have been warned to move their potted plants
Green-fingered Brits, take note: gardening gurus are sounding the alarm to shuffle your potted plants this week. With the Bank Holiday weekend set to sizzle with temperatures potentially hitting a balmy 24C, it’s prime time for beach trips and firing up the BBQ.
While the Met Office is also cranking up expectations even higher before the weekend, forecasting scorching highs of up to 30C tomorrow, May 1. While we lap up the rays, our leafy friends in the garden might not be feeling quite so chipper. Gardening expert Rachel Crowe has dished out some sage advice to Home and Gardens.
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She warned: “Container plants will be the first to dry out in a heatwave so you need to take extra care to ensure they do not perish in especially hot spells.”
To shield your botanical buddies from the sun’s fierce embrace, which can lead to scorching when plants can’t slurp up water fast enough, causing outer leaves to crisp up, it’s best to relocate potted plants, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
Given that pots tend to hoard heat and their soil heats up quicker due to being shallower, dehydration is a real risk, reports the Express.
Crowe advises: “Move containers into a shady spot where they will be protected from the heat of the midday sun.” A cosy nook in your garden that dodges the full glare of the sun should do the trick.
But don’t go overboard by dragging your outdoor plants indoors; such a drastic change of scenery could give them quite the jolt, stunting their growth.
If you’ve missed the boat and your potted plants are already showing signs of sun damage, Houseplants Corner suggests immersing the entire pot in water for a thorough soak.
However, bear in mind this is a last-ditch effort and not all plants may respond well to it. For plants that are just looking a bit under the weather, experts advise trimming off any dead or dry stems, flowers and leaves, and watering the soil as per usual.
