How to Help Your Garden Survive a UK Heatwave

Long summer days are perfect for enjoying your garden - but when a UK heatwave hits, it’s not just your lawn that suffers. From frazzled flower beds to wilting plants and stressed shrubs, excessive heat can take its toll on every corner of your outdoor space. The good news? With a few smart strategies, your garden can stay healthy and full of life all summer long.

Here are 7 expert tips from our garden landscapers to help protect your lawn, plants and borders during hot weather:

1. Feed the Soil, Not Just the Grass

Whether you’re nurturing garden beds or lawn, success starts with the soil. Dry weather can cause compaction, limiting airflow and stunting healthy growth.

Try this:

• Lightly aerate compacted areas with a fork or manual aerator

• Apply compost or lawn conditioner to improve moisture retention and soil health

Nourished soil benefits your plants and lawns alike, helping both retain moisture and build deeper, more resilient root systems.

2. Keep an Eye on Pests

Warm weather attracts unwanted visitors – from leatherjackets and chafer grubs in your lawn to aphids and ants in your borders.

Watch out for:

• Thinning patches of grass or wilting foliage

• Unusual bird or animal activity

• A spongy feel underfoot on the lawn

Try using nematodes to treat lawn pests naturally and blast aphids off plants with water. Light scarifying helps too – but avoid heavy raking in high heat.

3. Edges and Mulch Beds

Defining your lawn edges makes a big visual difference – and keeps grass from creeping into flower beds. It’s especially effective on spacious lawns in Kent where neat borders add structure.

Use a half-moon edging tool and create clean divides between lawn and planting areas. Then:

• Add mulch around beds and plants to lock in moisture

• Protect roots and reduce the need for frequent watering

This small step makes a big impact in high summer.

4. Create Low-Mow Zones and Shade Beds

Reducing your mowing frequency and allowing grass to grow longer in low-use areas creates a cooler, more biodiverse garden. It also helps plants by reducing reflected heat.

Benefits include:

• Shelter for insects and pollinators

• Moisture conservation

• Less stress on the soil

You could also try wildflower turf – ideal for pollinators and visual interest in low-traffic spots. Discover wildflower turf.

Top mowing tip: Raise your mower blades in summer. Longer grass shades the soil (helping it retain moisture and copes better with heat stress.

5. Rotate Lawn Use

If your garden hosts kids, pets, or summer gatherings, wear and tear can build up fast. Constant footfall, paddling pools or play equipment can quickly compact the same spots.

Rotate garden furniture and toys to:

• Allow worn lawn patches to recover

• Reduce long-term compaction

After gatherings, rinse spills and move furniture to give your grass and planting time to bounce back.

6. Use Trees to Create Shade

Looking for a longer-term solution? Shade makes a huge difference to both lawns and plant borders.

Consider planting trees like silver birch, rowan or hornbeam. These provide dappled light, reduce moisture loss, and create habitat for local wildlife. Read more about shade solutions here.

Shaded areas stay cooler and require less water – ideal for protecting more delicate plants from sun scorch.

7. Think Beyond Grass

If your lawn repeatedly struggles in summer, it might be time to consider more drought-tolerant alternatives.

Options include:

• Clover lawns – low-growing, soft, pollinator-friendly and drought-resistant

• Creeping thyme or chamomile – fragrant, attractive and very low maintenance

• Mediterranean herbs – like lavender and rosemary, which thrive in heat

Need Expert Help?

Whether you want a new garden lawn or to reimagine your entire garden, our team at Haywood Landscapes is here to help.

With over 30 years of experience as garden designers in Kent, Canterbury and the surrounding areas, we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes during our unpredictable British summers.

Give us a call on 01227 733447 or get in touch here to chat about your lawn, landscaping, or garden goals.