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3 clusters · 10 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: CULTURE

Heatwave strains UK and US gardening

Entities: Steve Bustin · Hardy Plant Society · bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) · Pteridium aquilinum · Royal Horticultural Society

Overview

In late July, gardening guides in the United Kingdom and the United States began recommending drought‑resistant annuals such as dahlias, zinnias and cosmos, while Colorado residents moved to higher elevations and conserved water under extended wildfire restrictions. The Hardy Plant Society (HPS) warned that the heatwave had reached record levels across the UK, urging gardeners to focus on heat‑tolerant varieties and to join its Seed Distribution Scheme, and pointed readers to a BBC 2 segment and new online resources.

By the end of July 2026 the extreme heat persisted. HPS chair Steve Bustin reiterated the unprecedented temperatures, again calling for seed donations and directing members to updated videos, a seed‑donor information page and the society’s publication *Cornucopia*. The Royal Horticultural Society added practical watering advice, recommending early‑morning, deep but infrequent watering to improve soil moisture retention and reduce disease pressure, and warned against over‑pruning. It also highlighted a gardener’s successful removal of invasive bracken through chopping, mulching and repeated rhizome removal, improving soil health amid the prolonged heatwave.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Royal Horticultural Society urges morning watering during heatwaves

    Royal Horticultural Society advises early‑morning, deep watering and careful pruning to protect plants in heatwaves, while a gardener’s bracken‑cutting and mulching strategy curbs invasive growth.

  2. 3 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    UK Gardeners Face Record Heat as HPS Reports Extreme Summer Conditions

    The Hardy Plant Society warned of record‑high July temperatures in the UK, urging gardeners to adopt heat‑tolerant practices, join the Seed Distribution Scheme, and watch Steve Bustin’s recent Gardeners’ World

  3. 7 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Heatwave Gardening Tips Enable Late‑July Plantings to Flourish in the UK and US

    Gardening experts advise planting drought‑tolerant dahlias, zinnias and cosmos in late July for vibrant fall gardens despite heatwaves, while Colorado residents adapt outdoor habits and conserve water amid high

Sources

hardy-plant.org.uk · housetohome.co.uk · independent.co.uk · mbfinland.fi · northfortynews.com · thebiguknewsroom.co.uk · thegardenmagazine.com · thymeforcookingblog.com · websleuths.com · wmn.de

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history