How to keep your garden healthy through the hottest months
Practical watering, shade and trimming tips from our maintenance team.
Gardenia maintenance team · 14 July 2026
Water early, water deep
Summer heat evaporates surface moisture before roots can use it. Water before 7am so the soil stays cool and the water reaches the root zone instead of the air.
Deep, infrequent watering trains roots to grow downward, where the soil stays cooler and holds moisture for longer.
- Water at the base of the plant, never over the leaves at midday.
- Push a finger 5cm into the soil — only water when it feels dry.
- Group thirsty plants together so drip lines serve them efficiently.
Give plants some shade
Even sun-loving plants struggle when afternoon temperatures pass 45°C. A 30–40% shade cloth over beds and young trees cuts leaf scorch dramatically.
Move potted plants to the east side of the house, where they get gentle morning sun and afternoon shade.
Trim less, mulch more
Heavy pruning in summer exposes tender growth to the sun. Limit trimming to dead or damaged branches and save shaping for the cooler months.
A 5–8cm layer of mulch keeps roots cool, slows evaporation and smothers weeds that compete for water.
