How to Protect Your Terrace Garden From the Scorching Sun in Summer?

Though summer is perhaps the most profitable season for fruit farmers everywhere, for the average terrace gardener it can be a real test. This is especially true when terrace gardeners follow organic practices to grow their garden. Summers can be harsh on all trees and plants, but the green cover on the terrace might be receiving the most heat because of its placement. Fortunately there are several ways to protect your plants from the summer heat and keep them hydrated throughout the hottest days of the year. With the adequate shade and moisture, terrace gardeners may enjoy fruits of their labour too, quite literally!

Know the do’s and don’t of watering plants in summer

Terrace gardens are often equated to children because they are solely dependent on us for their survival. This is especially true when it comes to watering. A regular garden may still receive excess water from other sources, but a terrace garden has no sources of water with the exception of rain. That said, there are still many precautions you need to keep in mind before simply watering your plants. If you are a beginner, then your instinct may tell you to water your plants all day long so they don’t dry up. But the best practices for a terrace garden during summers are:

1. 1. In preparation for a heat wave, be sure to water your plants generously - if you water too quickly or not enough, often only the top of the soil gets wet, while the rest runs down the sides of the pot and spills to the bottom.

2. 2. As a good practice, always try to water the soil around the base of the plant and not the plant itself, especially during hot weather. Long-term watering at the base of the plant is the best way to revitalise and protect the plants, as it pushes the roots deeper into the soil.

3. 3. It is always best to water your terrace garden during the morning or evening hours when the sun is mild. If you water your plant during the high noon hours, the water you pour may be hot or heat up and eventually burn your plant.

4. 4. Most plants’ leaves may droop during afternoon hours when the sun is at its hottest but may revive later in the evening. Observe your plant for a day or two and see if it can recuperate on its own. And if it can it is best left alone.

5. 5. You may have sometimes watered your plants already and they may still look very beat down from the heat. In such cases, watering or simply sprinkling the leaves can help them cool down a bit and look fresh.

Use mulch

After watering, mulch with organic material such as compost, leaves, or grass clippings to shade the soil, cool the root zone, and reduce evaporation. Mulch the pots liberally with organic material to reduce water evaporation from the soil. Apply about 2 inches of mulch around the base of the plants or the entire bed. You can also shade the soil with live mulch by planting thickly and/or using plants such as pumpkins that are vigorous or have large leaves.

Create shade for your terrace garden

Some plants don't need direct sunlight and some may not need the sun all day, so cover these plants with a cloth or place it under the shade of a bigger plant or tree. If you do not have natural shade, then use a shade cloth or shade net to protect plants from direct sunlight. The shade fabric available in markets can usually cover the entire terrace. You can also cut shade fabric and arrange them individually for each plant.

If the only fabric you have on hand is dark in colour, remember that it can absorb heat and in turn can burn any foliage they touch, so keep it a few inches away from your plants. Remember to use fabric as a temporary solution because if your plants get used to this shade, they will have a hard time surviving without it.

Use pebbles

Pebbles don’t just look pretty in your terrace garden, but they can save your plants too. For plants that are susceptible to burning in the sun, place the plant in a shallow pot and create a top layer of pebbles. This is essentially another form of mulch. The pebbles will prevent hot air from sucking out all the moisture out of the soil and keep your plant satiated for a longer duration. You can also use cardboard, old sheets, and the more commonly available construction jelly stones.

Using fertilisers

It is not recommended to use fertilisers during summer as they can have a negative impact on your plant. Naturally, fertilisers can have a burn effect on the plants. THis is especially true if the fertiliser is a strong one. Using excess amounts of fertilisers can also burn plants up. So it is ideal that you avoid fertilising your plants altogether in summer. However, compost used in moderation can benefit your terrace garden well in summers.

Summers can be a great time to nourish and truly enjoy your terrace garden. With a little care, your terrace garden can give back to you in many ways in refreshing ways.