As heatwaves become increasingly common thanks to climate change and rising global temperatures, it’s even more important for our gardens to provide us with an escape from the heat… and the good news is that there’s a lot you can do to facilitate this.
Thermal garden design is proving ever more popular among UK gardeners, where the focus is specifically placed on counteracting extreme heat.
Here are a few suggestions you could employ at home that will help keep your outdoor spaces comfortable, even as the hot summer sun beats down.
1. Use lighter colours
For hardscaping like patios, driveways and walls, use lighter shades and neutral colour palettes, which will help to reflect heat. Also consider using porous materials and natural stone, which will cool down faster than other options, such as concrete.
2. Prioritise airflow
Avoid creating a stuffy garden that traps heat within by installing slatted fences and louvred screens, staggering their positions so you can ensure privacy while helping to support good ventilation.
Preventing overcrowding as your plants mature by spacing them out appropriately is another strategy, as is pruning any dense foliage, which can create stagnant pockets of air.
3. Plant vertically
Don’t forget that you can make use of vertical lines of sight, as well as horizontal!
It’s tempting to keep plants at ground level, but you can encourage airflow, access to sunlight and better movement in general if you elevate your plants or use the likes of trellises and vertical planters.
4. Consider furniture positions
Take care when working out where your tables and chairs will go. If you crowd everything next to plants, you add lots of bulk and will block air movement, while trapping humidity.
Aim to keep clear routes between your plants, container garden and furniture so you can enjoy your garden more during the summer.