TOP TIPS FOR SUMMER WATERING

by Woodthorpe Plant Shop

With soaring summer temperatures, long periods of drought and strong winds, keeping your garden plants well hydrated is becoming more challenging.

The task of watering can feel overwhelming, time consuming and hard work.

The key is knowing what needs watering, when to water and how to water to maximise results and minimise effort.

In this blog we share our top tips to keep your plants healthy in the heat while allowing you plenty of time to sit back and enjoy your garden.

 

 

HOW TO WATER EFFECTIVELY

By watering as effectively as possible you can limit your water use, save money, be more sustainable and minimise effort.

  1. Water early in the morning or in the evening. Watering when the sun is at its least strong ensures plants absorb all the water before it evaporates.

 

  1. Water the base of plants. Direct water at the base of plants, avoiding leaves. This ensures all water reaches the roots of the plant and helps limit the spread of diseases that like warm, wet conditions like mildew.

 

  1. Mulch. Use a mulch like spent compost, leaf mould, well-rotted farmyard manure or compost around plants after watering. This locks in the water and prevents it evaporating in the heat.

 

  1. Water slowly and deeply. Avoid sprinkling water lightly over plants. Focus on watering slowly ensuring the water has maximum opportunity to soak deep into the spoil. This ensures plant roots are encouraged to grow down, allowing them to access more water and nutrients. It also helps soil stay moist for longer, maximising the time between waterings.

 

 

WHAT TO WATER AND WHEN

Plants to water daily or every other day.

Prioritise those plants that are very young and those in greenhouses and conservatories.

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Aubergines
  • Peppers
  • Seedlings
  • Cuttings
  • Young plants in pots
  • Hanging baskets

 

Plants to water weekly.

Prioritise plants that react badly to dry conditions, giving them a full watering can once a week.

  • Peas
  • Beans
  • Sweet peas
  • Spinach
  • Cabbages
  • Hydrangeas
  • Trees and shrubs that have been planted in the ground less than a year
  • Containers and planters (if it’s very hot these may need a water twice a week)

 

Plants you don’t need to water often

There is a wide range of beautiful drought tolerant plants and using them in your borders and pots can almost completely eradicate the need to water.

Our top drought tolerant plants are.

FLOWERS

  • Agapanthus
  • Bearded Iris
  • Sedum
  • Aeonium
  • Hardy geranium
  • Sempervivum
  • Aloe
  • Verbascum
  • Eryngium
  • Geum
  • Nepeta
  • Lavender
  • Trachelospermum jasminoides
  • Pelargonium (geranium)

GRASSES

  • Cordyline
  • Stipa Tenuissima
  • Stipa gigantea

 

SHRUBS

  • Nandina
  • Hebe
  • Santolina
  • Pittosporum

 

 

A combination of clever plant choice and good watering practice leads to a healthy, beautiful garden and plenty of time to get the sun lounger out and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Gardening perfection!

Here’s to a sunny, flower filled summer.

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