How to water your garden
JUNE 2024
THIRSTY PLANTS & HOW TO HELP THEM - THE NURSERY GUIDE TO WATERING
Some of you may think we’re trying to teach you how to suck eggs; but, at a recent garden centre show I walked past a gentleman watering the leaves and flowers of some thirsty plants he’d borrowed to make his stall more attractive and it got me to thinking that not everyone really knows… you know?!
Most of us are aware that it’s the roots and soil not the leaves and flowers that need the water. But what are the details or the hows, whys and whens?
Here are our top tips…
1 Don’t let the soil become bone dry
Most plants depend on even moisture and can tolerate a little drying before watering again; in fact it promotes root growth. If you let drying out go on too long you will struggle to rehydrate the soil in containerised plants. The key to this is watering regularly. You’ll soon get to know which pots dry quicker, which plants look sad quicker and you can adapt your daily watering route around the garden and greenhouse accordingly.
Rescuing a very dry plant. If you have a plant in a container that is bone dry – you are better off submerging it in a bucket, or sitting it in a tray of water. Watering with a can or hose will not saturate the pot enough. If the plant is in the ground you will have to keep visiting it to water it until it starts to recover.
2 When you water, water thoroughly.
A proper water regularly is better than a frequent sprinkle. When you have watered properly your plant has moist soil surrounding it. If it’s in a pot, the pot feels relatively heavy to lift or tip. Dry pots are very light!
What is regular? Once or twice a week in Spring? Once or twice a day in a heatwave? Check your plants daily and watch out for signs of drying out. Don’t confuse wilt from drying with wilt from waterlogging - more on this later.
Pets, children & wildlife: all fans of water! Factor them in to your watering routine!
3 What is thorough watering?
Let water seep into the soil. This takes time. If you keep watering water will run off and be wasted. Sometimes you need to water, walk away and then go back and water that bit again.
Water must sufficiently reach the roots. You are aiming to get water penetration deep in to the soil or pot. If you don’t water sufficiently you will be able to scrape the wet soil off the top and see you still have dry soil underneath.
Water evenly around the plant not just on one side to ensure even root growth around the plant.
4 Timing… choose it wisely
During last year’s July heatwave we watered morning and evening. But once we settled back to relative normal we went back to our preference of watering later in the day. At home this can be late evening, even after dark. When you water in the evening/night, the soil is cooled or cooling. Less water evaporates than during the hotter day. The plants all have time to take on water before the next day’s heat.
5 Dry leaves prevent diseases
Try and avoid wetting leaves, especially if watering in the morning or daytime. Water droplets can magnify the sun’s rays on to the leaf and cause burns. Also, wet leaves can develop leaf-mould.
6 Save time and water
Consider a drip or automatic irrigation system.
Slightly cheaper - Consider a saucer for under your pots.
We stock a wide range of Gardena irrigation solutions for your garden including hosereels, spray guns, drip irrigation and lawn sprinklers.
6 Watering and Peat Free compost
We are all getting used to peat free soils. They still do the job, but they are a little different and require getting used to. The surface of the peat free soil can look dry very quickly BUT underneath the soil is still well watered and DOESN’T need more. How to tell? Lift thepot. If the pot is it lighter than expected/easy to lift - then water. If it’s a big pot then dig down a bit with your fingers and check how moist the soil is. Get used to the weights of wet and dry pots and you’ll soon know what to do.
7 Avoid waterlogging
Plants roots need air in the soil. If soil is overwatered there are fewer air pockets and air cannot get to the roots. The plant drowns and roots start to decay, and sometimes simply with wilting - which is confused with drying. If you then apply more water, you make the problem worse. Sour smells, black roots and rotting leaves are all signs of waterlogging. Follow the link for info from the RHS.
NOTES ON EXCEPTIONAL WEATHER
During 2022s heatwave (it got to 40C remember?), most of my containers were sat in saucers or trays of water. I could not keep them moist enough without that reservoir. Investing in some shallow tub-trugs, plant trays or large saucers is worth your while to keep your plants happy when we get the extremes of heat. Moving them to a less exposed position temporarily may also help e.g. from south facing to east facing.
You may wish to research drought tolerant plants too…
Good Luck & do ask if you need help or support with your watering. We currently stock a fantastic range of Gardena irrigation which is compatible with all other leading brands.
