“Those microbes help roots take up water more efficiently, which is exactly what plants need when they’re dehydrated or heat-stressed.”
Coconut sugar, often seen as a healthier sweetener option in coffee or baking, is gaining unexpected popularity as a soil booster. Salt likens it to giving your plants a probiotic drink, with benefits that reach below the surface.
“You only need a small amount, about a tablespoon in a litre of water every couple of weeks.
“It’s not a fertiliser, but it supports the soil life, not just the plant itself.”
The trick is especially helpful for potted plants, which dry out faster than those in open beds. But timing and technique are just as important as the sugar itself.
Salt advised watering either early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation, and making sure the soil is deeply soaked.
He added: “Don’t just sprinkle the surface, get that water right down to the roots.
“If you’ve got pots, move them into partial shade or group them together to help retain moisture.”
Heat-stressed plants can be identified by drooping leaves, dull colour, dry soil, and stunted growth.
Leaf scorch, which causes brown patches or curled edges, is another telltale sign.
In addition to the coconut sugar tip, Salt also recommends mulching with bark or compost to lock in moisture and pruning back damaged foliage to encourage healthy regrowth.
“Plants are resilient, they can bounce back, but only if we act quickly and give them the right conditions,” he said.
While coconut sugar isn’t a miracle cure, Salt says its gentle, natural properties make it a worthy addition to any gardener’s post-heatwave toolkit.
“It’s an old gardener’s trick with a modern twist, and it couldn’t be easier.”