1
Water early or late, never at noon
Water in the cool of the early morning or the evening, when far less is lost to evaporation. Watering in the heat of the day can also scorch leaves and stress the plant as the cold droplets hit hot foliage.
Seasonal3 min read
Summer watering: getting it right in dry spells
Watering at the right time of day can be the difference between thriving plants and stressed ones.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
In a long dry spell, how and when you water matters just as much as how much. A few simple rules keep your plants healthy while using the water wisely.
2
Water the roots, not the leaves
Aim water at the base of the plant so it soaks into the soil where the roots can reach it. Wet foliage, especially if it stays damp overnight, is the ideal breeding ground for disease. A watering can or a soaker hose aimed low beats an overhead sprinkler.
3
Deep and infrequent beats shallow and often
A good soak that reaches down into the soil encourages roots to grow deep, where they're better protected when the surface dries. Little and often does the opposite, pulling roots up towards the surface where they bake.
4
Know which plants actually need it
Newly planted specimens and anything in a pot dry out far faster than established, in-ground plants. Prioritise those. A well-established border will often cope with far less water than you expect — see what the soil actually tells you before reaching for the hose.
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