Plenty of water needed in current conditions, expert suggests

Richard Gianfrancesco, head of research for Which? Gardening, advised greenhouse and gardening enthusiasts that the top few inches of soil in gardens around the country could now be very dry, making it difficult for seedlings to develop properly.

At least a full watering can on young trees or shrubs should help significantly, he stated, while vegetables will also need lots of water.

More established plants should be fine, Mr Gianfrancesco added, but anything planted after last autumn will need plenty of help.

“Looking to the future, think about mulching your plants much earlier and using weed membrane, which helps to lock the moisture in,” he noted.

The expert was speaking after the Met Office released data showing that last month was the hottest April on record