Gardeners advised on heatwave watering and shade strategies

Experts across Europe and the United States recommend early‑morning, deep watering to reduce evaporation and encourage roots to grow into cooler soil. Gardeners are urged to water less frequently but more thoroughly, using hose heads that provide a gentle rain‑like flow.

Shade‑net colour is highlighted as a key factor for protecting crops during intense heat. Black nets absorb heat and lower temperature, benefiting leafy vegetables, while white or translucent nets reflect heat and increase light for fruiting plants such as tomatoes and peppers. Specialized colours like green, silver (Aluminet) or even reflective aluminium foil placed under pots can further moderate soil temperature and moisture loss.

Additional low‑tech tricks include using pine cones as natural hygrometers – the cones swell when humidity is high and close, indicating adequate moisture – and placing aluminium foil beneath container bases to create a waterproof barrier that reduces heat gain while protecting furniture. These measures aim to help gardeners maintain healthy plants amid increasingly frequent and severe summer heatwaves.