Help! My plants are burnt and crispy.
Updated: Sep 3
Written and edited by Tammy 25th February 2024
This would have to have been one of the weirdest summer seasons we've had in a long time. With a wet start including record breaking unprecedented rain events, humidity, not enough consistent warm sunny days to ripen vegetables, and literally one or two random close to 40-degree hot days that shocked and fried everything in the gardens beyond belief.
Fair to say it created some challenges.
I bet you felt like a bad plant parent looking around mystified at all the burnt crispy foliage. Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're not alone. That was me too.
Don't beat yourself up, here's what we can do...
**How to save my burnt plants **
Tip 1- Lighten the load.
They will be absolutely fine, with a little TLC.
If they are young trees, at this point in time so close to Autumn, they are going to drop all the burnt leaves anyway, and that's ok, it's to be expected. If they are shrubs or perennials, you might like to give them a light prune to remove all the damaged foliage and take some weight off/lighten the load.
Tip 2- Seasol guaranteed to help every time!
Start treating with weekly applications of Seasol Health Treatment to help the plant overcome the stress it's experienced and boost its system to start reproducing new foliage. If you have non-wetting or dry sandy soil, give Seasols Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner a go, It's a wetting agent, soil conditioner and plant health treatment all in one.
According to Seasols official website, their product
Improves water penetration in all soils.
Retains moisture at the root zone and reduces drying of soil.
Maximises nutrient uptake.
Increases watering efficiency and minimises run-off and water wastage.
Contains liquid composts which improve and condition the soil.
Contains Seasol which promotes strong healthy root growth and overall plant health.
You'll find Seasol products available online and through most major leading outlets.
Tip 3 - Cover up, provide protection.
Fortunately, we're at the tail end of summer so hopefully there shouldn't be too many more extreme heat events. Where practicable, provide some shade or protection from the sun. There's nothing worse than seeing fresh new delicate green growth, only to have it happen again!!
If you know there are hot days coming in the preceding week, rig up a shade sail, some shade cloth over star droppers or even an old sheet perhaps.
Tip 4 - Slip slop slap, "slop on sunscreen"
If it's not practical to physically cover your plants up, consider applying a heat and frost protectant product such as Envy.
Envy is the product of an Australian company based in Qld called Agrobest.
It's kind of like a sunscreen for plants. Well not just only sunscreen, it's better than that as it protects them from ALL environmental climatic stresses.
The active ingredient is a water-based polymer that's non-toxic, pH neutral and biodegradable.
When it's applied to your plants it covers the foliage with an invisible membrane that protects them from sunburn, windburn, wilting from excessive moisture loss and frosts.
It doesn't prevent them from still being able to photosynthesize and breathe (take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen). It's a very clever concept really and well worth routinely using.
You can find the product through some specialty plants stores and this company appears to have it available too.
The Garden Super Store based in QLD.
Here's a link to their website Garden Shop | 1000's Of Products | The Garden Superstore
Tip 5 - Planting location
Consider the plants growing location preferences when choosing a spot in your garden.
If a plant label recommends part sun to shade, you might reconsider not planting it in the middle of the garden on the Northwestern side of your yard.
Alternatively, if it suggests a preference for full sun, you wouldn't plant it on the southeastern side of your yard behind the house.
As time goes by and your garden matures, you'll begin to create a microclimate giving you new planting location opportunities. A large evergreen tree planted in the full sun will provide a nice full shade location for shade loving plants.
All things to consider when planning and designing your garden if you're starting out from scratch.
Don't despair as there's always a solution or a way to get around things in gardening.
It might look a little sad and less than ideal, but burnt foliage is just one of those unfortunate things that happens from time to time.
Try a few of these tips, hopefully they'll help.
Here's hoping you've had a wonderful weekend,
As always,
Happy Gardening! 😘🌸🌳
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