Dealing with the Heat
June, July & August brought some of the hottest temperatures on record to the UK and most of Europe. The plant nursery team worked flat out to keep, on average, around 75,000 plants alive and thriving with weekend watering needed for around 12 weeks in a row.
In very hot weather, water evaporates quickly, meaning plants may dry out before they can absorb enough moisture. Young seedlings and delicate plants are especially vulnerable to heat stress and dehydration.
To reduce evaporation, the team handwater the areas on the nursery without irrigation early in the morning or late in the afternoon, along with regularly checking soil moisture. Beds with irrigation are automatically set to come on very early in the morning, allowing the plants to take up moisture before temperatures rise. We are fortunate to be located where we have our own boarhole, allowing us to use our own water reserves.
We have several contract grow jobs due to be picked and dispatched over the next few months, which makes it essential that our plant care remains priority, especially with very hot days, and minimum rainfall forecast.
Between the Plant Centre, our local landscapers, our commercial clients, and now starting on growing for RHS Chelsea 2027, it continues to be a busy time on the nursery.
Our Plant Centre has a variety of drought-tolerant plants which our staff would be happy to discuss with you.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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Posted by Liam Murphy
1st September 2026
