Warm season is here and it will help your garden to grow but extreme heat can also stress your garden and lawn. Here are some tips to keep gardening restful instead of stressful.
Effective watering.
Deep-water your garden and lawn a few times a week (every 2-3 days) rather than frequent shallow watering. Ensure you give your plants a thorough soak, ideally in the morning or late afternoon before sunset. Avoid watering between 10 AM and 4 PM, as it will likely evaporate quickly, or after 6 PM, as it can create excess humidity that may lead to other issues.
Watering for just a few minutes daily encourages shallow roots, which dry out more easily. Instead, aim to water deeply for about an hour every 2-3 days to promote strong, deep root growth.
Mulch.
A layer of mulch keeps the moisture in the soil longer. We recommend applying a 75mm-thick layer, which also helps suppress weeds.
Very dry soil? Apply a wetting agent.
Check if your soil is water repellent by pouring some water onto a few areas. If it does not soak in quickly, the soil may have developed hydrophopia, which is caused by decomposition of organic, matter, which leaves a wax like substance forming a coating on soil particles. A wetting agent will break down this coating allowing water to penetrate the soil rather than run off to the sides.
Water crystals absorbs water and swells like jelly, which the roots then attaches to and draw water from. Next time you water, the crystals swells up again and continue to support the roots. Great in pots but also beneficial for lawns.
New plants.
If you’re planting new plants during very warm weather, use products like Seasol or Seamax. These products works like a tonic and support the plant during heat stress.
Existing plants.
There are products you can use for plants that are struggling to cope with the heat:
Drought Shield is a spray that acts like a protective coat on leaves, helping to prevent water loss during hot weather. Works up to 90 days.
Eco-Hydrate is a soil wetter and moisture attractant that improves water penetration and help reduce heat stress. 500ml treats up to 200m2.
