Tips for the summer heat: How do you quench your plants’ thirst?

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Horticultural expert Scarlet Allenspach (35) knows how to care for and protect your plants on hot days and how you can do good for yourself with the right greens.

“In a city with a lot of concrete, you really feel the warmth,” says the founder of Urbanroots, whose goal is to make urban areas greener. It does this on the city balcony as well, defending itself with climbing plants such as clematis and bush beans up to 2.5 meters high. “They get very tall, provide shade and provide cooler temperatures,” says Allenspach.

Because water evaporates from plants and leaves, and this removes heat from the environment. This makes it cooler. Allenspach: “An umbrella protects against the sun’s rays, plants and trees can do even more: They actively cool the air.” That’s why it’s worth greening the house walls: “Creates a microclimate, cools in summer and insulates in winter. Also, green facades change the cityscape and offer more shelter to birds and insects.” Like natural dust filters, leaves and twigs trap and isolate pollutants: This ensures clean air and less noise.

7 tips for herbs and vegetables in the summer heat

1. Mulch!

Cover the soil with a layer of straw, leaves and garden clippings, even newspaper can be used. This protects the ground. The extra layer of organic matter shades the roots of the plants. Mulching reduces evaporation and keeps the soil cooler and moister. In addition, the mulch material becomes humus, which plants can use as fertilizer in the long run.

2. Big ships

Moisture evaporates quickly, especially on balconies and small pots. Therefore, use as large pots as possible because they can store more water and need to be watered less frequently. A raised bed is therefore practical for the summer.

3. Pour the soil

Water the soil, not the leaves of the plant. Roots absorb water better and there is less mold and other diseases. Especially tomatoes do not like wet leaves at all.

4. Do not overdo it!

Waterlogging does more damage to your plants than enough water. Always check if the plant really wants to be watered, and always use pots with holes in the bottom to keep the water flowing.

5. Fill the PET bottle with water

Number one for those who aren’t home at the weekend: Fill the PET bottle with water and turn it upside down about 5 centimeters to the ground. The water flows slowly and nourishes the plant (depending on the weather) for several days. If necessary, make a small hole in the top of the bottle with the needle, in this case the water will flow out faster.

6. Water in the morning or evening

Watering is best done in the early morning or late evening. Then less water evaporates.

7. Don’t forget about insects and birds

Fill a dish with water and place a stone or twig on the edge to get the bugs out. You can also provide larger water baths especially for birds.

Source : Blick