How I manage the garden in the heat

Keeping the garden happy during extreme heat can be a challenge, but a few small changes can make a big difference.  I stick to watering early in the morning or after the sun dips in the evening to avoid evaporation and reduce the risk of leaf scorch. But recently I've started double watering. For thirsty plants like tomatoes and courgettes, I water them once to moisten the soil, wait 10-15 minutes and then water again. This helps the water soak deeper and the soil can absorb more moisture.

You might think it’s too hot to sow seeds, but I’ve had great success recently sowing salad leaves, and they’ve absolutely thrived in the heat! Certain plants cope better with warm soil such as some lettuces, chicory, beetroot, chard, and carrots. Water the soil well the evening before sowing to ensure moisture is deep in the bed, then sow seeds when it’s cool in the morning. Keep the soil consistently moist. 

And lastly, keep an eye on pots. Containers dry out fast, so I check them twice a day and move them into dappled shade where possible.