Do you have a green thumb? Do you love growing plants and tending to your garden? Whether you’re a veteran gardener or planting your first seedlings, there’s always more to learn!
When summer approaches, stifling mid-summer heat threatens your plants. Hot and sunny days make them extra thirsty and can cause them to wilt.
To keep your garden growing through the summer, you should have a strong understanding of how to water garden plants. Different plants have different needs, and an incorrect watering routine could have disastrous consequences.
Follow the steps below to keep your garden healthy and well-watered. Your fruits, veggies, and flowers will thank you!
Water Garden Plants Individually
If you’re wondering how often to water garden plants, take a look at the specific plants you’re growing. Each plant has different needs.
For example, you should water vegetables and berries more frequently than fruit trees and grapevines. You should make a watering schedule that considers the needs of each of your plants. Research the water needs of the plants you’re growing so that you can take the right approach.
Water at the Right Time
The best time to water garden plants is in the morning. Before the sun is high, the temperature is cooler, and water can quickly reach the roots of each plant.
Once it gets hot outside, the water evaporates more easily. When this happens, less water makes it to the plant’s roots.
Watering in the morning is also more eco-friendly. You save water (and perhaps a little money!) when less of it evaporates away.
Adapt for Soil Type
Different soils retain different amounts of water. For example, clay soil retains more water than sandy soil, and it retains it for a longer period of time.
Too much water and your plants could become waterlogged and experience root rot. Too much, and they will shrivel up and die.
You should aim for the Goldilocks effect: a “just-right” balance of water-retaining soils and soils that drain quickly. If you can’t control the type of soil in your garden, you should at least be aware of what soil you’re working with. Then you can adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Make Sure Your Equipment is Working
Many garden water features can make it easier for you to water your garden on a regular schedule. Irrigation systems are great for large-scale gardens. They can be hooked up to your backyard tap and set on a timer for maximum ease of use.
Don’t overlook classic tools like a gardening can and a garden water hose. There’s a reason these are staples of backyard gardens everywhere! If your hose isn’t functioning properly, a simple garden hose repair kit can help you fix the problem.
Further Reading
By giving your plants the right amount of water, you’ll keep them healthy and happy no matter how intense the summer heat gets. Follow the watering advice in this article, and your garden will flourish.
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