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While we’re enjoying the heat wave, our gardens are getting thirsty – how and when you water your plants is vital to their growth and survival
There’s nothing quite like a lush garden and the recent heatwave has sent everything soaring skywards. But over the course of even a single hot day, soil can dry out fast and leave your plants gasping for water and wilting. Successive dry days without water will soon kill off all but the hardiest specimens, so it’s important t o water regularly and cleverly to make the most of it.
DIRECT YOUR EFFORTS
Different plants need different amounts of water and knowing which ones are which will help you to water the plants that need it most.
Pots and hanging baskets dry out more quickly than beds and borders, so if you only have a spare five minutes focus on these. When it’s very hot, containers will need watering once or twice a day. To water, aim your watering can or hosepipe at the soil beneath the leaves, fill the container until the water rises above the soil, then let it soak through and repeat.
This makes sure all the compost in the pot has been watered properly.
Plants that have been in your garden for more than two years will need less watering because they have roots deep enough to access ground water. New plants are still working to grow deep roots and are more at risk in dry conditions.
Focus your efforts on these, giving new plants a good soaking at least two to three times a week.
WATER DEEPLY
It’s very important to make sure you water plants deeply. Wetting just the top layer of soil will encourage shallow roots, leaving plants in danger during dry spells. Don’t assume that plants are well-watered after rain, either.
In very hot weather, rain may wet only the top soil and evaporate without making it down to plant roots. Sprinklers may also leave soil dry under the surface.
A better way is to use a hose and slowly drench the soil so that the water will sink down to plant roots. Soak the soil for a few minutes, allow the water to sink in, then return for another go a few minutes later.
Hoses can be awkward to use and lug about in the garden, but I’ve recently discovered the expandable YOYO hosepipe by FITT.
It expands to twice its length when
in use, meaning it can reach a long way, but goes back to being small and lightweight, making it easy to store (yoyoextendablehose.co.uk).
Another way to water deeply is to build up a small soil wall around plants and fill it up with water. The wall keeps the water from running off
Slowly drench soil so the water will sink down to plant roots
and gives it time to seep in slowly. You could also sink an upside-down plastic bottle (with the lid and base taken off ) into the soil. Fill this up with water and it will slowly sink deep into the soil where it is needed most.
Time of day is also important. If you water plants in midday sun, water can evaporate and leaves can get burned. Instead, water in the morning or the evening when it is cooler.
REDUCE WATERING NEED
If you want to water plants less often, put a mulch around them. This is a loose covering of material, like slate chips, gravel or bark. By covering the top layer of soil, they stop water evaporating and keep soil wet for longer. As an added plus, they also limit weed growth.
For plants in pots, using larger pots and adding hydration crystals from the garden centre will keep them wetter for longer, as will moving them into the shade on very hot days. Self-watering hanging baskets with a water reservoir in the bottom is a good option too.
Instead of watering the lawn all the time, keep it looking fresh and green by mowing less closely and less often.
This helps the grass to keep more water inside its longer blades. Less work for you, less work for your lawn.
DROUGHT-RESISTANT PLANTS
If you don’t have much time to water, choose plants that are happy in dry conditions. Agapanthus (African lily) doesn’t need much water and has lovely purple flowers in summer.
Spikey yucca (Spanish bayonet) plants are also very drought resistant. Herbs like rosemary, lavender and sage are also good for this.
Visit my site at daviddomoney.com/ conserving-water for more details on what you can do in your own garden.
Putting these watering tips together will keep your garden healthy throughout the summer months but be wary of hosepipe bans in your area.