Gardening in a heat wave: the effect on plants

I water in the morning, and when it’s hot I do my gardening in the morning too. I’ve been planting over the last few days, but only in the ground or my own mixed compost if the plants are in the sun all day. I wouldn’t plant into peat free compost at the moment, because I find the top dries out very quickly, and young plants struggle when it’s very hot.

My rhubarb is looking exhausted already, even though I’m watering it - some plants just don’t like the heat.

Water in late evening too because that's when they store up their reserves apparently.

I’m keeping my young plants ina shady place for a few days while this fierce heat runs through. Fortunately I have an old garden table so they are above most slug/snails I hope.

I have moved all the pots around so that they shade each other too. I think established plants don’t mind hot tops but dislike their roots being overheated.

Who knows what the rest of this Summer will bring weather wise. Be an interesting year if nothing else. Good luck everyone!

All my veggies have been out 3/4 weeks and loving the warmth

I’m in the same position plants ready to go out. I topped up my planters with fresh compost and decided to just put out geraniums and pelagoniums as they can tolerate heat better. I watered well and will do so each morning while so hot. All the rest will be done when it’s a little cooler.

Well I’m planting - every day do a bit more. They are all looking fine - mind you I water every morning - the latest advice - to do with snails etc.

So far so good.