Summer has finally arrived in the UK, with temperatures expected to reach 32C in some areas today. Whilst some plants thrive in the sun, others can struggle if exposed for too long, resulting in death or wilting.

According to the experts at GardeningExpress, it’s important for gardeners to understand what plants need in order to know how to protect them from the sun. For example, plants like peperomia and begonia grow best in shade and partial sunlight, so it’s important these don’t get moved into the sun.

The experts said: “Obviously, the sun is good for our plants, but some thrive off it more than others, so it’s important to know what needs to be taken care of in your garden.

“For some plants, too much sun can cause damage, and can even cause them to wilt in severe cases.

“There are a few small things you do so like moving plants into the shade and watering them at the right time to help protect them from the sun.”

1. Smart watering

It’s best to water plants early in the morning before the sun has hit its peak.

Watering plants at the hottest point of the day won’t really benefit them, as the sun will immediately dry up all the water.

The expert said: “Avoid thinking your plants need more water in the heat, as this isn’t necessarily true and you could end up over-watering them.”

2. Provide shade

Plants can do with a little shade when it gets too hot. If your plants are in containers, simply pick them up and move them to a shaded area.

However, if they’re too heavy or you have plants in a flower bed, simply place a bedsheet over them to protect them.

This can help to protect them from sunburn, wilting and soil drying out too quickly. It acts as a makeshift shade cloth, creating a cooler environment for the plants and retaining moisture in the soil.

If you have any net curtains, they could also work very well as the holes will allow for breathability.

3. Avoid feeding

One common mistake people make during a heatwave is thinking that plants need feeding. However, this should be completely avoided, according to the experts.

This is because feeding triggers the plant to grow, meaning they’ll need more nutrients and water. This should be avoided during a heatwave as you’re trying to minimise the stress on the plant as much as possible.

Make sure to mulch plants, too, in order to retain as much moisture as possible.