If you’re worried about over or under watering your plants this summer, read our simple guide to help keep your garden in good health.
– Always water your garden in the evening or rearly morning when the teperature is a little cooler. This stops the water evaporating before it can get down to the roots of your plants.
– Water directly to the base of your plants so where it can get to the roots straight away.
– Giving your plants a good soak every 2-3 days is much better for them than a quick sprinkle every day.
– Prioritise your watering by learning which plants will need more water than others. Seedlings and plants in containers will need significantly more than well established trees and shrubs which should rarely need watering.
– Be mindful of using our most precious resource, collect rainwater from your roofs in butts as much as you can, even using bath water in very dry weather can help!
– Consider planting more drought tolerant plants if water usage is an issue
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER?
DAILY
– Tomatoes and cucumbers when they are flowering and the fruit is growing
– Tree ferns, water these daily into the crown to create hunmidity
– Seedlings, greenhouses and containers in full sun
WEEKLY
– Brassicas, lettuce, spinach, celery
– Hydrangeas
– Roses (they are suscepitible to mildew if too dry)
– Most perennials will need watering weekly during dry periods
FORTNIGHTLY
– Ornamental willows
– Clematis
– Fruit trees
– Camellias
It’s also worth noting that while you’re watering your weekly or fortnightly plants, they will benfit from a liquid feed (Miracle Grow, Tomorite or liquid seaweed are all perfect) at the same time to encourage strong growth and abundant flowers.