Brits urged to act now to save veg patches as 30C heatwave hits

As Britain basks in glorious sunshine and temperatures climb toward a potential record-breaking summer, gardening enthusiasts are being warned to take urgent action to protect their crops from the sweltering heat. With forecasts predicting highs of up to 30C across parts of the UK, vegetable patches could soon suffer from "severe" damage if left unchecked.

Social media gardening guru Joe, known to his thousands of followers on TikTok as @joesgarden, has issued a timely warning about the risks intense heat poses to common homegrown vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and aubergines. While these sun-loving crops generally thrive in warm weather, there's a tipping point.

Once temperatures rise above 27C, plants may begin to experience serious stress, including wilting, leaf scorch, and even tissue damage.

"This is one of the riskiest times of the year for gardeners," Joe said in a recent video.

"Most of the plants we grow love the heat. But if it gets too high, they can start to run into some pretty severe problems. Luckily, this is super easy to manage using a method called dampening down."

Dampening down involves wetting the floor around greenhouse plants in the morning and placing open containers of water nearby.

As the water evaporates, it increases humidity in the air, helping to counteract the dry heat that can put crops under immense stress.

Joe cautioned, however, that while effective in greenhouses, the method is less impactful for outdoor plants, which require different heat-management strategies.

Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society echoed Joe's concerns, warning that greenhouses are especially prone to overheating during peak summer months.

"Without protection from heat, few plants are likely to survive unharmed when subjected to prolonged high levels of heat and dry atmosphere within a greenhouse or conservatory," the RHS advised.

Ensuring adequate air circulation, adding shade, and maintaining humidity are key to keeping plants healthy during heatwaves.

The RHS also recommends checking for early signs of heat stress, such as scorched or browning leaves and sagging stems, especially during prolonged periods of direct sunlight.

Simple steps like ventilating greenhouses, installing shading nets, and ensuring a steady airflow can all help to protect vulnerable crops from the harshest summer conditions.