Gardeners urged to put one material on flowerbeds in July to stop plants dying

If your plantsare looking dry and wilted under the UK’s recent intense summerheat then an expert suggests using this one natural material to lock in water.

While many of us have been enjoying the tropical temperatures by barbecuingand basking in parks, your plants may not be having as good a time. Heatwaves can be extremely stressful for plants and cause unpleasant symptoms– including wilting, leaf scorch and stunted growth.

Heat stress can also impact plant reproduction, leading to issues like pollen defects, male sterility, and fruit and blossom drop. This can even even lead to them dying off.

READ MORE: Gardeners urged to plant 3 bulbs now to ensure blooms into autumn

Of course, one of the most obvious ways to help your plants survive the heat is to water them regularly. But, once you’ve done that, you need to lock the moisture in.

TikTok gardening expert Gardening with Ish recommends covering your plant beds with a natural material. He says: “Protect your plants from the heat of the sun by lining the borders with some bark.”

By placing bark chippings on your flowerbed, you create a layer that blocks direct sunlight from reaching the soil. This reduces the amount of water evaporating from the soil, effectively locking it in.

Another way in which bark helps is that it is great at absorbing moisture. It will then release moisture slowly back into the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.

Bark’s insulating properties also have a third important benefit, in that they help regulate soil temperature. This means they help keep soil cool even in high temperatures.

If you don’t have any mulch lying around, there are other alternatives you can use a layer of white stones or gravel. Gardening with Ish explains: “You can also use a light dusting of white stones to reflect the sun’s rays and keep the soil cooler.”

Another important tip to keeping your plants full of moisture during a heatwave is to water them properly. This means watering them at the right time of day.

Ideally, you should avoid watering your plants at midday. This is because water will evaporate quickly and may not have time to seep into the soil. Instead, water your plants in the morning or evening.

Finally, it’s important to be conscious of how often you mow your lawn. Cutting your lawn too short can actually make it more susceptible to sun damage as short grass will dry out faster and stress it out.