RHS issues warning to gardeners after record-breaking heatwave but says 'don't panic'

It’s been a long hot summer but it’s not just people who have been feeling the heat. Across the country, our gardens have fried to a crisp, leaving lawns looking like the Sahara, plants scorched and drooping and trees, dropping both fruit and leaves just to survive. But Royal Horticultural Society experts say it's not too late to salvage our beloved green spaces and future proof them for hotter years to come - as long as we work with nature. With rain finally arriving over the last few days and forecast into next week, RHS Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt explains: “This has been an exceptional year for heat. Records have been broken and new ones set. “It’s put our gardens under long term stress. There’s no doubt it’s been a challenging time for gardeners. My own lawn’s as as bad as everyone else’s. People might be tempted to say ‘I’ll just pave it over!’ But that’s not going to help. "We shouldn’t give up on our green spaces. We just need to work with Mother Nature and think about changing and adapting the way we garden. That’s true, whether we have a patch of grass and some beds, a few pots, an allotment or a windowbox.” Leigh, who trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and worked as a technical advisor on BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine for five years, has a host of tips to revive and care for our heat pummelled plants and lawns. He explains: “We still have some summer left, so I understand why people want to make the most of being outside. Your lawn might look really brown right now but, even if you don’t have a hosepipe ban in your area, I wouldn't water it. It’s not dead and the grass should recover when autumn rains come. “It may not come back perfectly, though. If it’s seen a lot of footfall - say kids playing football on it over the summer - then some of the top grass may have been rubbed away. You might spot more soil and it looking patchy. “Don’t panic. Re-seed it in October and November. Lawn seed is quite cheap, but look for a variety that’s resilient or more drought tolerant, because that's also going to stand you in good stead for the future.” Based at RHS Wisley in Surrey, Leigh, 49, says that while some garden plants may have died in the heat, gardeners should regard the empty space left behind as an opportunity. He says: “When a plant is short of water, you’ll see a bit of wilting and leaves looking droopy. If that continues, older leaves turn yellow as the plant prioritises new growth. “When that lack of moisture gets more significant, leaves will start to turn brown and, eventually, even very well established plants will die back. But that brings a fresh chance to think about the future and what else could be planted in the space. What could do better? It helps you think about what’s working and what’s not.” To save suffering plants in pots, Leigh, 49, advises moving them into the shade and using ‘grey water’ - used water from the kitchen or shower - to keep them as hydrated as possible. Try not to overwater though. If unsure, stick your fingers three or four inches into the soil to check. Saucers or plates under a pot will help capture any excess. As for trees dropping fruit and leaves, Leigh says this isn’t necessarily a sign of an early autumn, it can be the tree prioritising its own survival. He says: “The important thing is that the tree is still here next year and the fruit won't go to waste thanks to wildlife.” Meanwhile, the next few weeks are the ideal time to begin helping surviving plants prepare for next year. Leigh says: “I’d think about mulching this autumn and put a good five to eight centimetre layer of compost around plants. “That will help improve nutrient levels and soil health, as well as help to store moisture in the soil. The worms will pull the compost down, so there's no digging involved. I would definitely think about getting a water butt, too, so that you've got more water storage for next year. They’re readily available and perfect to install ahead of the autumn rains.” Leigh heads a team within the RHS Advisory Service answering more than 70,000 questions each year from RHS Members, as well as members of the public. This year, inundated with queries about what to do to combat the effects of soaring temperatures on gardens, the key advice has centred around rethinking the traditional spring rush for planting. He says: “Planting trees, shrubs, climbers and non-woody perennials in autumn can give them a stronger start and help roots get going before the next spell of heat. Plus, soil holds summer warmth, helping roots grow and settle before winter. The reality is, we have to learn how to adapt to these conditions and that means changing the way we garden.” That change will also see gardeners reconsider the plants they choose for gardens and pots, with an emphasis on those with more capacity to tolerate drought. Sea hollies, known for their spiky foliage and blue or silver flower heads, wisteria and succulents, such as ice plants, all do well in drier conditions, says Leigh, while Persica roses, long cultivated in the Middle East, and strawberry trees are further options. But it’s not just what we can do for our gardens - it’s what they can do for us. Leigh explains: “We've been talking about helping plants, but plants can help us too. They provide great shade, so think about maximising the number you have in a garden. “If you've got a south facing plot, put a tree where it's going to give a good amount of shade - even something small like an Arbutus will help. Plants also help cool the air by releasing moisture. A Stachys, known as lamb’s ears, is very good for that. “Consider investing in climbing plants. They act as insulation and can cool the surface temperature underneath by up to seven degrees. Placed against a wall, that will reduce the amount of heat going inside a house. And if you can reduce the amount of paving you have in your garden, that will also cool things down - paving just collects heat.” Casting an eye around a neighbour’s garden or local park can also help inform gardeners as to what may do well where they live. Says Leigh: “There is inspiration to be taken everywhere about what you can grow in your area - even in the supermarket car park. Plus we have RHS gardens all over the country you can visit. “We need to embrace change in our gardens. This is new territory and It’s like we're all part of a big experiment, seeing what works and what doesn’t. It’s a partnership with nature. Trust her that the rains will return and things will green up again.” Tips for gardens now: - Prioritise helping plants that look the most stressed - even washing up water will help - Don’t worry about your lawn - Move containers into the shade - you won’t need to water them as much Tips for next year: - Invest in a water butt - Get mulching this autumn to prepare the ground for next year - Use drought tolerant seed varieties on your lawn to reseed. *The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading garden charity with gardens across the UK. These are at RHS Garden Bridgewater, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Rosemoor or RHS Garden Wisley.