As the UK experiences mixed weather, gardening enthusiasts are being warned that their green-fingered efforts could do more harm than good.
A former royal gardener has shared his expert advice on how to maintain a thriving garden during scorching or wet conditions.
With searches for 'gardening in the sun' increasing by 20 per cent in the past week alone, many Britons are keen to spruce up their outdoor spaces.
However, expert Jack Stooks cautioned that certain gardening tasks should be avoided in intense heat.
An expert advised against cutting the grass when the weather is hot
PEXELSSpeaking to SEO experts Big Fat Links, he has outlined five essential tips to prevent damage to plants and lawns as the mercury rises.
As the temperatures could rise again this weekend, his first crucial piece of advice concerns lawn maintenance.
"When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible. You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil," he explained.
Timing is everything when it comes to watering plants during hot spells. Jack continued: "You want to water them in the early morning or late at night, so you are keeping the moisture in the ground rather than letting it evaporate while it's hot. You don't want to water them in the middle of the day. I always stick to that and water at night. You also won't be wasting as much water."
He particularly warns that watering flowering plants like roses and peonies during the day can cause blooms to fall apart. Indoor plants also require special attention during hot weather.
He added: "You want to keep in mind that they shouldn't be in direct sunlight through the windows. You may need to move some of your plants if you moved them in the winter months."
The former royal gardener also advised against feeding plants during dry conditions: "When it's dry, you don't want to start feeding plants because it can also burn them; you want to feed them when it is wet. You can forgo this for the time being."
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It is not the best time to plant new plants
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He suggested using this time for other garden maintenance tasks instead, adding: "If you haven't mulched around the ground, this will keep moisture in and is also a weed suppressant, so you can also use this time to weed your garden."
Finally, avoid planting if the weather does heat up, as this can stress out the plants.
"You don't want to put too much stress on the plants by moving them or planting anything if you can help it," he warned. For those determined to plant summer bedding, he cautions about the intensive care required.
"People will be planting bedding plants and potted plants for the summer, but they will constantly need attention and watering morning and night," the expert explained.
Instead, Jack offered a practical compromise for eager gardeners. "If you're planting anything right now, it's only bedding plants, and they will need a lot of water. I would suggest not putting them in the borders yet, but putting them in pots and checking them morning and night." This approach allows gardeners to maintain new plants while minimising stress during the hot weather.
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