Save your plants from Summer heat wave in India

As the temperature soaring high like never before. Gardening during a heat wave in India was never so challenging.  Gardeners need to take extra care of plants so they survive and remain healthy in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees to 46 degrees.  If you are doing rooftop gardening, terrace gardening, vertical gardening and gardening on land during a heat wave, then it is a little more challenging, as harsh sun is drying up the plants. We get complaints of burnt leaves and dried-up small plants on the best app in India.

We need to really implement effective ways tried by Indian gardeners, as they shared in Plantohlics Gardening Ideas and More ( India), having more than a million gardeners. There are strategies to protect your garden during heat. Summary of the discussion on how to protect plants in summer is mentioned here : 

Here are a few tips to fight excessive heat during summer in India 

1. Water :

Water is like an elixir for the plants during a heatwave. In terms of improving humidity, in terms of keeping soil wet and keeps leaves and stem moistened.

Water twice a day according to your plant combination and the temperature in your area. Make sure about the timing of watering. 

Minimise damage by putting water pots. Keep a few water buckets near pots so that the humidity level is maintained. All plants will survive in summer as well. When the evaporation process happens from these buckets, they keep the area humid near plants.

Shower them top to toe. Sometimes take them to your bathroom and thoroughly wash with a shower, keep them there for a few days, then keep them in shade.

2. Timing of watering 

Never water plants in full sunlight during summer. To Gardening during a heat wave in India, what time you are watering is very important, says Hirdesh Saxena, who has more than 200 plants at her house. She says, water the plants after sunset and when the pots are not hot any more. The best time to water plants in summer is anytime between 7 pm-9 pm. By doing this, the soil gets full moisture. Also, we can consider watering before the sun is harsh. Definitely, no one thing fits all. Make sure about the soil wetness and your climate.

3. Misting

Use mist sprayers to cool down plants. This helps reduce leaf temperature and provides temporary relief. Very helpful for calatheas, crotons and indoor plants. For outdoor plants, make sure you mist before 8 AM and after 7 PM according to your area’s sunrise and sunset.

Misting helps in summer by cooling plants through evaporative cooling, reducing leaf temperature, and increasing humidity around the plants. This process minimizes heat stress, prevents wilting, and supports better moisture retention in plant tissues. 

4. Covering  with a Green Net or Wet Clothes

Green Net installation is a good way to make it easy for Gardening during Heat Wave in India.  Plants should be kept under a green net if they are in an open area. This protects plants from harsh sunlight. 

It is unnecessary to purchase it all the time. You may use cloths or nets over vulnerable plants to reduce sunlight intensity. Just use cloths that block 30-50% of sunlight to balance protection and light penetration. In short, cover plants with lightweight fabric or old bed sheets during extreme heat spikes. This acts as a temporary barrier against scorching sunlight.

5. Mulching

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (2-4 inches) around plants. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduces soil temperature, and suppresses weed growth.

Mulching helps in summer by retaining soil moisture, regulating soil temperature, and suppressing weed growth, all of which reduce stress on plants during hot weather. As it prevents evaporation, keeping roots cool and hydrated. Mulch also enriches the soil as it decomposes, improving its structure and fertility.

6. Keep them together

Place the plants together. Preferably, Small plants under larger ones.
Keeping plants together during the summer can significantly help them fight heat stress. Grouped plants huddled together help create a microclimate with higher humidity levels. As plants transpire, they release moisture into the air, which can be trapped among the densely packed foliage, reducing water loss from leaves and helping to keep the plants hydrated.

Plants can shade each other, reducing direct exposure to the sun. This shading effect lowers the temperature around the plants and protects the soil from direct sunlight, helping to retain moisture and prevent the roots from overheating. Clusters of plants act as windbreaks, reducing the drying effects of hot winds. This protection minimises moisture loss through evaporation from both the soil and the plant leaves, helping to maintain better hydration levels.

A diverse plant grouping can foster a healthier ecosystem.

During summer, certain plants require extra care, especially young seedlings, shallow-rooted plants, and those not adapted to high temperatures. Plants such as coleus, fern, and anthurium are sensitive to harsh sunlight and should be kept in semi-shaded areas. They benefit from frequent watering and occasional showering to maintain moisture. In contrast, plants like adenium, lilies, and seasonal vegetables need adequate sunlight for healthy growth and fruiting. Heat-tolerant plants, including marigolds, zinnias, and succulents, are naturally adapted to higher temperatures and are generally more resilient during hot weather.

8. Use shades

Erect temporary structures like garden umbrellas, tents, or even strategically placed garden furniture to provide intermittent shade.

You can create natural shade by utilising taller plants or trees to create natural shade for smaller, more sensitive plants. Planting in the shadow of larger plants can reduce heat stress.

9. Use drip irrigation

Use drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the root zone, minimising water loss and ensuring efficient moisture delivery.

10. Soil Management

Soil Moisture Retention is very important in summer, as water evaporates faster from the upper soil. Other than mulching to slow down evaporation, enhance the soil’s water-holding capacity by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This improves soil structure and moisture retention.

There is a common mistake of filling soil to the top of the pot. Please avoid that, says Tripti Joshi, who is Co-Admin of  Plantohlics Gardening Ideas and More community in India. Leave space in your pot for at least 2 mugs of water so that the plant can be watered fully.  

Keep soil loosened by tilling before sunrise and post sun set. 

11. Pruning and Dead Heading

After every effort, a few leaves and stems are going to become dry. Prune dead or excess foliage to reduce water loss through transpiration. Remove deadhead flowers to redirect energy to the roots and reduce overall plant stress.

12. Insect inspection

Inspect plants regularly for signs of stress, pests, and diseases. Heat also increases attacks by red mites and thrips.

Heat-stressed plants are more susceptible to infestations and infections. Try to implement strategies, such as introducing beneficial insects, to control pest populations naturally and reduce chemical use.

13. Local gardening groups and apps

Join Indian and local gardening groups or forums to share experiences and tips specific to your region’s climate and challenges. Because gardening is a local thing.

You can download the Plantohlics app where plant lovers from your surroundings can swap or sell plants… all for free! Plus, you don’t need the hassle of running around different forums with the fear of scams. 

Not a Tip given in Western countries where heat waves in Summer matters, is applicable in hotter countries.

Protecting your garden during a heat wave requires a combination of proactive and reactive measures. By understanding plant needs, implementing efficient watering strategies, providing adequate shade, and enhancing soil management, you can significantly improve your plants’ resilience to extreme heat.Loving plants and understand requirement is important. Keep asking questions in communities, red authentic information given by real gardeners.  Regular monitoring, timely interventions, and leveraging community resources further bolster your efforts.

Other than basic gardening tricks, with these comprehensive strategies, gardeners in India can effectively safeguard their plants from the detrimental effects of heat waves, ensuring a healthy and thriving garden year-round.