YOUR GARDEN Time for a rain check Get to the root of effective irrigation and learn how to water the garden properly...

WITH it set to be the wettest June on record and not a day going by without a monsoon descending on our gardens, you are probably wondering why on earth I am writing about watering!

Well, the type of flash rain we are getting doesn’t actually water gardens properly. Plant foliage acts as an umbrella and keeps water away from the roots. So that’s why it’s important for gardeners to know how to water properly.

A proper watering was vital at the Chelsea Flower Show last month. Creating there can be a strange experience, one that is sometimes an affront to gardening. Thousands of plants get delivered from all over Europe and they are sunk in the ground (often in awful soil that’s dug up on an annual basis) in their pots.

Therefore, to keep them watered is a massive challenge. The occasional rain shower won’t do it and having an inexperienced volunteer tackle the plot with a hose doesn’t achieve the results required. Wilting Chelsea flowers just won’t do!

In our Harrods’ British Eccentrics Garden, the cavalry arrived in the form of Helen Dillon, a wonderful gardener who knows her beds and borders inside out.

She took charge of irrigation, letting youngsters know how and when to water, directing the hose to the base of the plant and explaining that although foliage and petals may be drenched, the roots of the plants can still be as dry as dust.

You have to direct the hose to the base of each plant so the root zone is soaked. Also, excess water on foliage can help diseases flourish.

In no time, she had our display singing away.

I’ve taken delivery of some of our Chelsea plants and have planted Peter Beales’ roses in my borders.

They arrived on the trucks parched, so the key to the successful establishment in the Gavin Eden was to dunk the pots in a bucket of water, soaking the root ball thoroughly until air bubbles had gone.

Every batch was then planted and quickly but carefully watered by a slightly reluctant 11-year-old. I’ve enjoyed the rain playing its part since. Many of you will be taking trips this summer, and going away while leaving your gardens or pots unattended can be a worry.

Paying someone to come and water the plants is an option – it was a job I had as a youngster and I was hopeless at it – but according to recent reports, tomato-sitters are becoming a trend.

You could also ask your neighbours to do it while you are away and return the favour when they go off.

Much of the garden will tolerate periods of drought, especially our Mediterranean friends like lavenders, rosemary and sages, and don’t even think about watering the lawn – it’s a waste of natural resource as it will bounce back once the rain does.

What do have to be looked after are Watered... Irrigation was key for Diarmuid’s Chelsea garden, above Despite the recent downpours, it’s still important to water your garden plants vulnerable species such as ferns, especially tree ferns like Dicksonia antarctica.

Not only do they love to be watered but the foliage likes to be misted. Also, not only are the trees or shrubs you have planted this year Care... Direct the water on to roots vulnerable, but even ones that have been in for about a year may need some extra help. Pots and containers just won’t survive without making provision for watering. A simple irrigation system is key but don’t set it up the day you are leaving – try it out a week in advance to ensure it is doing its job properly and your plants are smiling. With some irrigation systems it’s possible to add nutrients and trace elements. A drip system for hanging baskets can be very successful and is the Pot luck... Mediterranean herbs tolerate drought ■ THIN out carrot seedlings – remove completely (and eat!) the thinnings. If left lying about, their scent will attract carrot fly. You can cover with horticultural mesh to keep them away. ■ Tie in climbing and rambling roses – the more you train them horizontally, the more this will encourage side shoots to develop and produce more flowers. Rope in tomatositters to tend to your crop when you’re on holiday most practical solution for high-up baskets.

There are plenty of irrigation systems available, depending on garden size. Cheap and simple ones can be bought for under £10 – this can either be a “leaky hose” (a porous hose that slowly releases water) or hoses with attachments called drippers which can direct water directly to the roots, conserving water in the process. Timers can be added so the system comes on in the morning and evening.

Moisture-retaining gels, composts and granules in hanging baskets will help retain moisture but they will still need daily or even twice daily watering on hot, windy days.

For best results, water early in the morning to allow maximum take-up. ■ Spray roses to protect against diseases. ■ Water containers, pots and window boxes and feed fortnightly. ■ Train sweet peas and start cutting flowers when they appear so you’ll get more out of the plants. ■ Start sowing seeds of Bellis perennis, polyanthus, pansies and wallflowers so they will be in flower (when little else is) for late winter/ early spring. ■ Tackle bindweed in the borders – remove by digging up every piece of white root or paint on weedkiller (you don’t want to kill other plants by spraying wildly). ■ Soft fruit such as gooseberries need netting over before birds tuck in.