Summer plant care: volunteer roster

For your volunteers and staff to effectively care for native plants, they should focus on deep, thorough watering, particularly new or stressed plants. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making the plants more resilient to heat. To improve water absorption in hydrophobic or sloping soil, you can also use water penetrants.

Strategic Watering

• Targeted watering: instead of a general spray, volunteers can focus on deep, thorough watering of specific native plant beds, new plantings, and stressed areas. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making plants more resilient to heat.

• Time it right: educate volunteers on the best times to water—early morning or late evening—to minimise evaporation and prevent scorching leaves.

• Use proper tools: provide volunteers with watering cans or hoses with attachments that allow for slow, deep soaking. This prevents water from running off the surface.

• Set up a roster: create a simple weekly or bi-weekly roster for different sections of the course, ensuring all critical areas get the attention they need.