Watering regularly in the summer helps to keep plants hydrated, but it is important to get it right.
This means watering garden plants at the right time of day as well as not over or underwatering.
Whilst many people may think that evening watering is best, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has recommended the morning.
They said: “Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water.
“The foliage and soil surface is also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases.
“Plants start to transpire in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and out through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata.”
If you don’t have time in the morning, evening watering isn’t bad, but it may encourage slugs.
Watering in the heat of the day isn’t a good idea as much water is lost through evaporation from the surface of the soil.
Plants will use water much more efficiently if they are watered in the cooler parts of the day, according to the experts.
The experts added: “There is no simple rule of thumb for watering as each plant has different needs – for example, a container plant in hot sunny weather may need watering daily, whereas a mature shrub might only need a drink in extreme drought.
“It’s good to remember plants will use more water if more water is made available to them, so you can allow them to dry out a little between watering and they don’t need to be wet all the time.”
Signs your plants may need more watering include wilting, pots becoming lighter in weight, leaves which look dull or have lost their shine as well as less than expected growth of foliage.
It is important to keep some plants moist, such as those in hanging baskets.
If left to completely dry out, it can be hard to make the soil moist again so make sure to water these regularly.
