Gardening to maintain your plants is not just about how often you water them, but more often than not, it’s when you do it that counts.
Hozelock’s spokesperson Sarah Dixonm has highlighted the struggle plants face during hot weather, saying: “Sometimes extreme summer temperatures leave plants struggling to survive.
“Many plants can withstand temperatures up to the high 20C mark before they begin to suffer. By watering your plants at the right time of day, you can help them survive a heatwave and continue to flourish.”
Plants generally despise being watered at midday during summer. This is due to the soaring temperatures and increased rate of evaporation during the middle of the day.
The water will evaporate rapidly, drying out the soil and depriving your plant of oxygen.
So, what’s the golden hour for giving your green friends a drink? The experts at Garden4Less recommended watering in the early evening when the sun has just gone down.
They stated: “Your plants are going to benefit from watering in the evening and so is your water bill.
“Watering in the evening is also the best time as it will result in your plants absorbing more water and reduced evaporation.”
However, gardeners need to be aware that if the weather is humid, slugs may be attracted to the wet soil so try to make sure the water is aimed directly at the soil.
If plants need lots of watering, or the weather is particularly hot, ensure to water very early in the morning too.
Wondering how much water your plants need? In hot weather, it might seem like a good idea to just keep the soil moist. However, this surface watering can discourage deep root growth.
So, gardeners should aim for less frequent watering that really soaks the soil. This encourages the plant’s roots to dig deep for leftover water, even when the soil’s surface seems dry.
As a general rule, flowers and vegetables should get about one inch of water per week – and potentially double that during the height of summer.
Not sure if your plants need water? Garden plants can struggle when the soil gets too dry, but they also don’t like “wet feet”, meaning they suffer if their roots are sitting in water and not getting enough oxygen.
On a hot, windy day, the soil’s surface might look dry, but underneath, it could still be moist. So, it’s crucial to do a quick check to make sure you’re not overwatering your plants.
Keep a wooden plant label on a lollipop stick and shove it a few inches into your garden soil, yank it out and have a gander. If the soil clings to the stick, you’re all good, but if it comes out clean as a whistle, it’s parched, and you need to get watering.
