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You are here: Home / Containers / Sun-proofing containers

Sun-proofing containers

By Judith Adam Filed Under: Containers, Making a Garden

Mulching helps to sun-proof containers in full sun. (Garden Making photo)
Mulching helps to sun-proof containers in full sun. (Garden Making photo)

When it’s hot and sunny, I try to fall back on the guidelines for container plants in stressful circumstances, clustering them together to form a microclimate, and frequently misting with a fine hose nozzle to temporarily cool foliage. I sometimes cut back stems to ease stress on root systems unable to adequately service limp leaves.

What also makes a difference is mulching the soil surface in each container. No matter if it’s a field of roses or a pot of begonias, covering the soil with organic mulch is the first and best defense against heat and drought. I often use leaves, pine needles and shredded bark to create a two- to three-inch (5- to 8-cm) layer of mulch around the stems in each pot, being sure to extend the materials all the way to the pot rims, and leaving no cracks where sunlight can enter. I learned that the depth of mulch is key to really keeping soil temperature cool, or at least cooler than it might be when fully exposed. A thin mulch (one inch / 2.5 cm or less) really didn’t do much, but the deeper layer resulted in cooler soil. As well, there is significantly less moisture evaporating, meaning less watering is needed.

Published: July 17, 2013 | Updated: May 30, 2020

About Judith Adam

Judith Adam is a horticulturist, landscape designer and author of several best-selling gardening books, including Landscape Planning. She lives in Toronto.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer W says

    July 17, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Yes Judith there are many gardeners who are feeling like a cooling shower from the hose right now! Interesting to read about the gold hostas. I have one which I have always thought is ‘August Moon’ and the darn thing scorches up every year in just a touch of spring sunshine and then is devoured by slugs. I shall try to find some of the thicker ribbed-leaf ones you suggest. Thanks as usual for the always interesting articles.

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