Heat Protection Summer Gardening Hacks: Summer season is definitely a challenge for plants, but with proper care and smart gardening hacks, you can make your entire garden heat-proof.
As soon as the summer season arrives, plants are affected the most. Problems like burning of leaves, drying of soil, halted growth and reduced flowering become very common. Especially in temperatures of 40°–45°, small pots, indoor plants and balcony gardens suffer the most heat stress. But by adopting some easy and smart summer-gardening hacks, you can completely protect your plants from the scorching heat. These hacks can be followed easily even by beginners and their effects become visible within a few days.
Keep the soil cool and moist by mulching.
In summer, the soil dries up first and the plant spends all its energy in protecting its roots. Mulching i.e. covering the surface of the soil is the easiest way to protect the plant from heat. You spread dry leaves, straw, coconut coir or small wood chips on top. Due to this, the soil remains moist 2-3 times longer and the roots get coolness. This hack is most important in balcony garden.
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Shade net protection from afternoon sun
If your plants are exposed to strong afternoon sun, installing a 50% or 75% shade net is very beneficial for plant protection. It blocks the harsh sunlight and softens the light and sends it down due to which the plant is able to photosynthesize and does not get burnt. Indoor plants like money plant, aglaonema, snake plant, peace lily are not able to survive in summer without shade.
water early in the morning
Always give water between 6–8 am. At this time the soil absorbs water the best and the plants continue to get cooling throughout the day. Watering in the afternoon or evening can burn leaves because hot soil converts moisture into instant hot steam. In hot summer, deep watering 3–4 times a week is the best method.
Read more – Add one thing mixed in water, home garden will blossom within a week.
No spray on leaves, just water in soil
Many people think that spraying water on leaves keeps plants cool. But in extreme heat it causes reverse harm. In strong sunlight, water droplets on the leaves act like lenses and the leaves get burnt. Therefore, do not do fog spray or mist at all in summer, only do deep watering in the soil so that the plant remains cool from the roots.
keep the walls of the pot cool
Plastic pots heat up very quickly in summer and burn the roots. Therefore, terracotta, clay or thick ceramic pots are considered best in summer because they do not trap the heat and release it immediately. This keeps the roots safe and the plant remains stress free. Placing small pots in a large decorative basket also provides extra insulation to the plant.
Reduce the use of liquid fertilizer
Plants become very fragile in summer and their roots are unable to function quickly. In such a situation, giving heavy or strong fertilizer puts the plant in further stress. In summer, do fertilizing only in half dose. Like cumin water, compost tea or buttermilk spray (soil application) remains very gentle. Avoid chemical fertilizers completely in hot weather.