Overview
- Experts this week urged gardeners to shift from frequent surface watering to soil‑building measures, arguing that a humus‑rich soil stores moisture like a sponge and makes plants more drought resilient.
- Practical steps recommended by gardeners and broadcasters include laying 5–10 cm of organic mulch (grass clippings, straw, bark or compost) and lightly hoeing the topsoil first to break capillaries so water stays deeper in the ground.
- Watering advice is to water less often but more deeply, and to do so in the early morning or evening so moisture reaches roots instead of evaporating from the hot surface.
- Container gardeners should use larger pots, clay‑rich or peat‑free mixes and moisture‑holding additives such as coconut fiber, vermiculite or lava granules, and cover potting mix with mulch to reduce heat stress.
- Scientists warn that prolonged drought can damage soil structure, make soils temporarily water‑repellent and harm worms and microbes, meaning recovery after rain can be slow and long‑term composting and humus building are essential.