The thirst rule of gardening…
For a garden to look good, keeping plants well-watered is key – and there are lots of ways to make sure they stay hydrated
Few things are more therapeutic than watering the garden. It’s an easy job, up to a point, but one you don’t want to get wrong. Now the days are becoming warmer, that doesn’t mean you can’t use some advice to make sure your plants are getting what they need.
It’s easy enough to give the garden a quick spray with a hose but many traditional gardeners still prefer oldfashioned watering cans because it’s easier to judge exactly how much water you’ve used.
It also makes for some great exercise – but be careful not to strain anything if you’re lugging heavy cans about.
Traditional watering is great way to engage children in the garden, too. Simply pick up a smaller watering can and send them off to look after the easy-toreach pots and containers!
Lasting liquid
Getting the right amount of water to each of your plants is a real balancing act. In general, the darker the leaves, the more heat they absorb so the more water they need.
But this rule of thumb doesn’t take into account their position in your plot. Plants that sit in the baking sun for most of the day will obviously need far more hydration than those tucked away in a shaded corner.
And make sure those sitting under eaves don’t dry out because they’re not getting any rain.
When it comes to beds, borders and vegetable plots, you should be trying to water to about 20cm under the soil. Check using a stick or your finger, or by using a soil moisture meter – see this week’s Gadget on the right.
You can pick up these simple devices for less than €10 and they save having to disturb the earth or delicate root systems.
Moisture depth is important because it helps make sure the water is reaching plant roots and the risk of evaporation is lower, so watering is more efficient.
Simply spraying the surface risks losing the majority of water to drying out. Your plants need a really good soaking.
Basket case
There’s no need to drown your baskets and boxes in water until their dripping from the bottom –
you’ll risk washing away the soil and losing any nutrients. In reality, little and often is best so that a small can of water each day should keep most plants in containers content.
Also consider adding some Miraclegro moisture control gel, which will dramatically increase the ability of container soil to stay moist.
These small crystals expand into gel and quite literally hold moisture into the soil.
Apply them sparingly at the manufacturer’s recommended rate into the soil. A fine-textured compost will help them to work most effectively.
Finally, lining your baskets and containers to help slow water loss is also an option. Even a layer of (pre-read) newspaper in the bottom will help stop water pouring from drainage holes.
Give your garden a good drink in early morning or evening
Go green
Mains water should be used sparingly – especially to help save supplies and help protect the landscape.
At peak times, water companies meet demand by using groundwater supplies – which is bad for the environment and puts prices up, too.
My advice is to give your garden a drink in early morning or evening, to reduce evaporation.
Another tip I find useful is to simply move your smaller pots into the shade – it’s a quick way to save a lot of watering woes.
If a potted plant has dried out, dunk it into a bucket of water until escaping bubbles stop coming out. This will be much better for the plant than having water pooling on the soil’s crusted surface or running straight off.
You can then repeat and reuse the water for other potted plants that may need it.
Sure storage
Water storing is another facet to gardening that’s worth exploring if you haven’t already.
A typical water butt holds about 200 litres and they’re cheap as chips to buy. They’re also really easy to install. If you’ve got space, there’s no reason not to have a few of them. Plus, the absence of the chemicals that make tap water safe for drinking makes rainwater a better choice for watering needs. For larger gardens, you can install a rainwater-harvesting system, but these can be rather pricey if not installed when the house is being built. However, forward planning will hugely benefit your plants with a reliable water supply and is kinder to the environment too. Improve the quality of your soil by adding compost and manure to the surface and dig well in. This will help sandy soils retain moisture. Don’t forget that the healthier the soil, the less your plant has to work. This goes for water absorption too.
Shower power
When giving plants a good dousing, a hose that can provide multiple settings is always best.
This is because the spread and intensity of cover will need to adapt for each plant and situation. For instance, delicate or young plants need a gentle shower, whereas dense foliage or established growth will benefit from a vigorous soaking.
Buy a good hose that gives this level of control, doesn’t kink and stores well. Some can even be fitted to walls for ease of access.
For fruit and veg, use an oscillating sprinkler. When fixed up to an automatic timer, they’re a simple way to make sure your garden gets watered during the busy summer months.
This is especially important with crops like pumpkins, cucumbers or tomatoes.
Automatic timers can’t adapt to unpredictable weather though, so home gardeners can also invest in automatic irrigation controls.
These have sensors that turn off the water supply when it’s raining or the soil is too moist.
As well as being practical, watering is one of the most relaxing tasks in the garden. Enjoy it.