Watering your Garden

Tips for watering your garden

Watering the garden can seem a relatively simple task, but it can however be a little bit more complicated than once thought; there are varying factors that need to be considered to ensure your plants get the watering they require, and we’re here to give you a few tips on how you can do so.

1. Water Early or Late The best times to water your garden are early in the morning or late in the evening. Watering during these cooler parts of the day reduces evaporation, allowing more water to reach the roots. Morning watering also helps prevent fungal diseases by giving plants time to dry out before the heat of the day.

2. Deep, Infrequent Watering Instead of shallow, frequent watering, aim for deep, infrequent watering. This encourages plants to develop deeper root systems, making them more resilient to drought. Water thoroughly so that the soil is moistened to a depth of at least 6 inches.

3. Focus on the Roots Water the base of your plants rather than the leaves. Wet leaves can promote fungal growth and disease. Use a watering can, soaker hose, or drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots where it’s needed most.

4. Mulch to Retain Moisture Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw, bark, or compost not only conserve water but also improve soil health as they decompose.

5. Check Soil Moisture Before watering, check the soil moisture to avoid overwatering. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues, so it’s important to strike the right balance.

6. Use Watering Tools Wisely Consider investing in efficient watering tools. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the soil, minimizing evaporation and ensuring even distribution. These systems can also be set on timers to automate watering, saving you time and effort.

7. Collect and Use Rainwater If possible, set up rain barrels to collect rainwater. Using rainwater for your garden is not only environmentally friendly but also beneficial for plants, as it is free of the chemicals often found in tap water.

8. Prioritise New and Vulnerable Plants Newly planted shrubs, trees, and flowers require more frequent watering until they establish strong root systems. Pay extra attention to these and any plants showing signs of stress, such as wilting or yellowing leaves.

By watering your garden wisely, you can conserve water, save time, and ensure your plants remain healthy and vibrant throughout the summer. With these tips, your garden will not only survive the heat but thrive in it, providing you with a lush, beautiful outdoor space to enjoy all season long.

Your variables to consider:

1. Soil Type:

Soil types have different water retention levels, and based on this have different watering requirements.

For example –

Sandy Soil Holds less water than clay and will dry out faster, water more often.
Clay Soil Holds moisture longer (meaning danger of over-watering) water less often.

2. Weather: This is common sense, water more during hot, dry spells and less during wet ones. On hot days, water pot plants and bedding plants twice a day, early morning before it gets too hot, and after sunset.

3. Plants: Watering will vary depending on the type and size of the plants. For example, larger plants and newly planted plants need regular water. Vegetables, bedding plants and many perennials need frequent watering, some daily because they have shallow root systems.

4. Types of water: Rain water is the best choice for watering and your plants will certainly appreciate it, it is freely available if you are able to catch and store it (this can be done with a water butt). Tap water contains a lot more minerals which plants do not need.