June Newsletter
- clairecharrie
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Helping Your Garden Survive The Heat
Well, that was the hottest May on record and whilst we have some respite, temperatures are set to soar again through the summer so we thought some tips on watering your garden in a heatwave would be useful.
Soak, Don't Sprinkle: Water deeply and less frequently rather than giving plants a quick splash – we count to 20 whilst wearing each plant to ensure they get a good soak. Deep watering encourages roots to grow down into cooler, moister soil, making plants significantly more resilient. Focus limited water on high-priority plants such as newly installed greenery, seedlings, and containers and let your drought-resilient established plants and lawns go dormant temporarily.
Water the Roots: Direct your water (or drip system) right to the base of the plant. Wetting foliage during a hot afternoon won't burn the leaves, but it can cause water waste and promote fungal diseases.
Check Before You Soak: Wilting in the afternoon is a natural plant defence against heat loss, even if the root ball is moist. Poke your finger about 5cm (2 inches) into the soil; if it is damp, leave it alone to avoid suffocating the roots.
Apply Heavy Mulch: If you didn’t have the chance to do so in Spring, you can still add a 5–7cm layer of organic mulch, such as well-rotted compost, bark chips, or straw. This acts like sunscreen for your soil, keeping it cool and drastically slowing down evaporation. Ensure you water the plants (as above) first before applying the mulch.
Protect Potted Plants: Pots and containers dry out rapidly in the sun. Move them into a shaded spot during the hottest hours or group them tightly together to create a humid microclimate. Ideally you should place saucers underneath them to catch runoff and maximize absorption.
Stop Feeding: Except for fruiting plants such as tomatoes, avoid applying fertilizer during a heatwave. Pushing new growth requires more energy and hydration adding unnecessary stress to heat-affected plants.
Conservation methods: Use water butts to capture and utilize rainwater whenever possible. You can also save water from the sink (if it is bleach-free) or bathwater in buckets to irrigate your plants.
Finally, sit back in the shade with a refreshing drink and a home grown strawberry or two and take in the beauty of your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Create Your Own Bee Bar
As part of our Gather & Grow collaboration, we are happy to offer the following workshop -
Plant a Bee Bar for your garden
£Free
Saturday 20th June 2026 - 10.30 am
Join the team at Nature's Haven to plant up a container with nectar rich, bee friendly flowers. Take it home to your garden and see which bees begin to visit.
What will we cover?
Choosing plants for the Bee Bar
Planting up
After care
What will I achieve?
Knowledge of which plants are bee friendly and how to look after them.
What to bring with you:
Gardening gloves if you have any and we’ll provide the rest.
Please bring your own medium size container (up to 20 cm diameter) otherwise we will supply a regular plant pot.
What level is the workshop and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ workshop and no previous experience is necessary.
Venue:
Nature’s Haven
Maidenhead Community Centre
4 Marlow Road
SL6 7HY
Booking is essential as places are limited, link below:
Wonderful, Delicious Honey!
Honey is a versatile, natural ingredient celebrated for both its nutritional value and medicinal properties. It serves as an effective cough suppressant, a topical wound healer, a moisturizing skin agent, and a healthy, antioxidant-rich alternative to refined sugar . . . and of course it is delicious, you can whip up sweet or savoury treats in minutes.
Sweet & Simple
Whipped Honey Butter: Beat softened butter with honey and a splash of vanilla until fluffy. Pair with warm scones or pancakes.
No-Cook Salad Dressing: Whisk honey, olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar) and a pinch of salt. Drizzle over fresh greens.
Honey Yogurt: Swirl honey, seeds and fresh berries into Greek yogurt or freeze on a tray until solid, then break into shards for a healthy, sweet treat.
Savoury & Spicy
Honey-Glazed Salmon: Coat salmon fillets with a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Bake for 10-12 minutes for a sticky, savoury glaze.
Cheese Pairing: The ultimate low-effort upgrade - simply drizzle a high-quality honey over a block of goat cheese, blue cheese, or cheddar and serve with crackers.
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