As temperatures continue to sizzle across the UK, your plants may be in for an unpleasant sauna. Luckily, an expert explains how one vegetable that can help them stay hydrated
Many gardeners have been stressing over their struggling plants as UK temperatures continue to swelter – but luckily this one unlikely ingredient could help.
Sadly, many British plants are adapted to cooler temperatures, which means they may have difficulty withstanding heatwaves. If plants don’t receive enough water, it can damage their internal processes, leaving them dehydrated, stunted and withered. In extreme cases, they may die off completely.
Fortunately, Waine Delaney, a mushroom specialist at Monotub, has suggested that there is a way to combat this, as reported by the Daily Mail. Waine reveals that the secret to protecting plants may lie in mushrooms.
He explained that by watering plants with the mushrooms mixed into the liquid, you can potentially help them survive the heat. This is due to a little-known function.
Mushrooms are actually known as ‘hydration pods’ in the garden. This is because they have the ability to behave like sponges by absorbing excess water.
As such, water that has been infused with mushrooms seeps more slowly into the soil than ordinary water. It also evaporates much slower during the hottest times of the day.
The benefits extend beyond increasing plants’ hydration, too. Mushrooms are full of beneficial micro-nutrients which are readily absorbed by plants.
Just some important nutrients that these fungi contain include potassium, copper, manganese and calcium, which have a positive impact on plant growth and function, particularly in the heat.
It’s also a much more cost-effective and gentle method than using shop-bought feed. Shop-bought feed can potentially lead to overfeeding, which can damage your plants.
Additionally, mushrooms contain mycelial matter, which encourages the growth of fungi when poured onto flower beds. This also helps the soil to retain more water, which can then be taken up by plants.
You can make mushroom water at home with any variety of the fungus. First, you need to chop a handful of mushroom before leaving them to soak in tap water for 12 – 24 hours.
It’s important to note that the same mushrooms can be used up to two or three times. After that, it’s best to throw it in the compost, where it can be turned into fertiliser for plants.
Other ways to help your plants in the heat include watering them at strategic times of day. It’s best to water plants in the mornings and evenings, as it will evaporate slower from the soils surface.