Page 17 - 2024-Issue-1

GARDENING

HEATWAVES: THE NEW NORMAL

By Elize Malan

he vast majority of garden plants thrive
in a temperature range of 18°C to
T28°C. The extremely hot weather that
appears to be occurring more often is due
to global warming. As a result, gardeners are
being increasingly prompted to change their
garden designs and plant mainly succulents
like cacti – because these plants have deep-
spreading roots and the capacity to store
water.

In a hot, dry garden the plants have
limited transpiration and cannot cool the
environment. A more user-friendly option is
doing as much as possible to keep your garden
plants thriving under difficult conditions.

Doing the following can make a difference:
can do is support the plant until it manages Succulents are xerophytes – plants that
Install leafy climbing plants to grow new leaves. Drip hoses or soaker are adapted to survive dry conditions.
Whether ornamental or edible, you can use hoses are a better option. Hence, they don’t have the benefit of
these plants to cover fences and walls in transpiration.
greenery – it will cool the garden as the plants Leaf sun-scald is obvious this summer
transpire. For example, ivy can cool surface season. Leaves of the Clivia plant turn South Africa is a semi-arid country and so
temperatures by as much as 7°C. These plants yellow in dappled shade, while well- nowadays, large lawn areas that require
will also provide a suitable habitat for small irrigated Agapanthus plants have leaves irrigation are no longer encouraged. But
geckos and insects. that turn white. bear this in mind: lawns mitigate the heat-
island effect through transpiration and
Limit hard surfaces If your plants are in pots, move them evaporation, and provide cooler micro-
Concrete driveways, tarred roads, tiled patios indoors or to an area with shade. climates. Their role in cooling down a
and open soil create a scorching micro-climate. garden should not be underestimated.
Replace them with permeable materials and a Place temporary shading, such as a shade
growing grid that will retain less heat. cloth, over plants to keep them cool and References:
https://www.gardenandhome.co.za/gardening/how-to-
block out the sun’s rays. Vegetable garden protect-your-plants-during-extreme-heat
Also, tilt the driveway towards the lawn to boxes will benefit from the same treatment. https://parkseed.com/gardening-in-heat-wave/a/
gardening-in-heat-wave/
keep run-off water useful. Space your pavers https://studymind.co.uk/notes/introduction-to-
100mm apart and fill in gaps with pebbles or Increase transpiration xerophytes/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/
groundcover plants. Trees provide shade and release water environmental/leaf-scald-in-plants.ht
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/3/73
vapour that will cool their canopy area.
Mulch will block direct sunlight from Light-coloured foliage or silver and grey
Tel: 012 804 1807
contacting the soil and thereby reduce heat leaves have the added benefit of reflecting Fax: 012 804 0278
absorption. sun radiation. Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
Practise correct watering Wild grass and meadow plants are
During heatwave conditions, scalding is a mesophytes – plants that are adapted
problem that occurs with overhead watering. neither to a particularly wet nor a particularly
The beads of water remain on the leaves and dry environment. The transpiration of the
act like a magnifier, causing white or yellow plants is high and they send water into the
blotches. Once leaves are damaged, all you atmosphere, cooling their surroundings.

INTRAMUROS JANUARY 2024 | 15