Newly purchased plants and next week’s heat wave

[newmonthnewme]

I I have lots of plants that I've purchased in the last few weeks. Hydrangeas, sweet peas, lobelia, hollyhocks, phlox. They are all still in their nursery pots. I'm in the Midlands where it's cold and wet. And next week we're about to have a massive heatwave. Google is telling me to keep the plants in their pots and not put them in the soil. What are other people's opinions on what to do? I do have crates I can put them in and move them inside and outside I also unfortunately have loads of renunculus and anenome which I’m not going to cope with the heat.
I’m thinking of bringing the plants inside as I have a cold unheated garage. I’m on clay soil. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'd bring them inside, yes. Make sure they get some light - you can't leave them in the dark for a week.

Personally, I'd plant them out in the ground and ensure they are kept well watered.

We have had some good rain this week (unsure about you). So I'd get them out in the ground, soak each plant really well - perhaps a watering can each.

Just go out and water really well each night.

If you are really concerned you could always put down a bark mulch or even just some cardboard temporarily. Or if you have any shading you could put that over, but I don't think it is necessary with enough water.

The nursery pots are so small and so will dry out very quickly. And I know I wouldn't be able to soak them long enough.

Google is advising me to put all the nursery pots in a big box full of mulch water it and keep it under the tree for a week because apparently my plants will all die of transplant shock. If I plant them now is that a good idea? I do have loads of mulch and a big shady tree and plastic crates. I’m in the West Midlands. It is clay here.

Do you have an area of your garden that's in the shade, or at least from about 12 onwards? If so, why not put them all there, and keep them well watered.

By the way, that thing about 'you must not get leaves wet when watering' is complete nonsense (as any plant that's had a torrential thunderstorm and bright sunshine come out immediately afterwards will testify). You can water them fully, and then spray all over the foliage and the ground around, which will keep up humidity.

It's a dry wind that's the problem, not heat on its own.

If you're keeping them in the nursery pots and expecting temps of 28°C I'd bring them indoors and keep well watered, away from direct sunlight but not into the dark.

Otherwise, if you do have a shaded spot outside, keep them there and water well in morning or evening. If soil is damp below the surface, that's enough - they don't need to be kept soaked. Putting the pots of trays is 100x better than letting the water run through. Mulch is good too.

Plenty of garden centres will have young plants outdoors next week, just give them some shade and water

They have a better chance in the soil as they can start getting their roots down to the damp.

Don't leave them in the sun in pots, they will struggle even with watering.

I bought some plants at a plant sale at the weekend & rushed to get them in the ground yesterday as we’re going away next week & won’t be here to water pots. I’m just hoping a few days in the ground as the temperatures gradually increase will be sufficient plus lots of watering the whole garden towards the end of this week before we go.

That reminds me I have some plants in pots that need planting out. Last summer I planted loads of plants in our garden after clearing a border that had become dominated by one plant. I watered every morning and they are all thriving

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I'm not an expert but don't get why you haven't planted them out yet? I don't think there will be more heavy frosts now.

I’d get them out in the border. As long as you water them well once a day, they’ll be fine. Plants need heat, light and water. I planted a new border in May last year and my plants are all thriving.

You never bought a plant and then either taken ages to plant it or never actually planted it and it died in the pot?

I would just plant them.

we have heatwaves all summer where I live, and I always just buy plants, put straight in ground and water well in. They halve all survived over the years. Water them in the evenings or early mornings on hot days

I really doubt the uk will get that hot next week, it will be more like 25-28 max

I wouldn't take them inside. The light levels are low, the air is still and warm. You will get soft lank growth, which is susceptible to pests and diseases. They will need gardening off again too. Get them planted.
Water the pots really well ideally by soaking in a tray of water for a few hours or overnight. When you have dug the hole, fill it with half a can of water ( 1 gallon/ 5 litres), a whole can for your Hydrangea. When the water has drained away, plant them firmly and mulch the surface around them with compost, manure or even brown cardboard.. Give them a soak a couple of times a week.

Um no I haven't - I always would plant them out either straightaway or within 2 days max.

Thanks for all the advice, I’ve planted the hydrangeas and hollyhocks and will try and get the rest in this morning. An almost unanimous Mumsnet advice to get them in the ground ..

I’m thinking of bringing the plants inside as I have a cold unheated garage. I’m on clay soil.

the UK will probably have about 2 days of temps up to 28 C Monday Tuesday and a couple of days either side of around 23-25 degrees, then it will go back to some sunshine and showers. That is hardly a "massive heatwave"!

Nurseries and garden centres up and down the country have to keep their plants and shrubs healthy while they are in pots, so people can buy them and take them home. This isn't any different.

I would do as you suggest and put the plants in your garage and plant them out later next week. They'll be absolutely fine. If you have clay soil, you could use the BH weekend to prepare the soil with mulch and some top soil from the garden centre, no need to do the whole border just the areas where you plant to plant up.

ETA seen your update. Make sure you water either early morning or after sunset otherwise the water will evaporate and you'll have to do it twice!