Prevent plants from hanging heads

To prevent your plants from hanging their heads in summer they need plenty of water.

But how much or how often should they be watered? And is it better to water from above or below?

Continue reading and you will find some smart and helpful facts for watering your plants.

Keep evenly moist

Most plants depend on even moisture. Slight drying out, however, before watering can promote root growth in plants.

Water more seldom but then thoroughly

In the flower bed, one to two watering sessions per week is usually sufficient.

It is better to water occasionally but with plenty of water rather than a little water often.

Water late in the evening or early in the morning

When you water cool soil in the evening less water evaporates than when watering hot soil during the day.

Watering of an evening or early morning also allows plants to sufficiently supply themselves with water before the next day’s heat.

Keep leaves dry

Wet leaves can become diseased leaves. Kept wet overnight, leaf-mould may result. Leaves that are wet in the sun can develop slight burn marks (burning glass effect of the water droplets).

Give right water quantity

Requirement-suited watering means that the water must sufficiently reach the roots.

Too little water will only cover the upper soil centimetres or may not even reach them at all (for example when there is mulch covering the soil).

Give larger water quantities in parts

Water needs a moment to seep into the soil. To prevent precious water in the bed flowing away unused it’s better to water repeatedly in sections.

Water with a target but distribute

Always watering at one root point only leads to onesided root growth and thereby to poorer nutrient absorption from the soil.

Therefore, always water around the plant and covering the entire irrigation area.

Irrigate in a way that saves water

Water as much as necessary and as little as possible.

This can be simplified with an automatic irrigation system with moisture sensor located in the garden bed, on the balcony and on the lawn.

Avoid waterlogging

Waterlogging suppresses the breathing air of the roots out of the soil and the root cells drown without oxygen.

Use quality, clay-rich soil

Plant soil rich in clay minerals has better expanding properties and can therefore hold water in the soil much better and in a more even way.

In wet summers and in winter ensure adequate water drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Article courtesy of www.homelife.com.au.