Watering for Plant Health

Watering is a skill, for sure, but with a little homework you can provide your leafy friends with the right moisture levels, at the right times to help them thrive.

Know Your Plant’s Needs

Plant Type

Different plants have varying water requirements. Make sure to research or specify the type of plant to tailor the advice accordingly. Here are some examples:

• Lavender and other drought tolerant plants need less frequent watering than phlox or cedars
• Even plants with similar characteristics can enjoy wildly different conditions; some Iris love to have wet feet, whilst others prefer well-drained soils
• Deciduous trees and shrubs don’t need as much water in the Fall season as they prepare for dormancy. However, most Evergreens need to be ‘super-charged’ with water to help them make it through the harsh winter months.

Growth Stage

Young or newly planted plants often need more frequent watering to establish their roots. Mature plants might have different needs.

Know Your Soil Type

Get to know your soil type and you will get clued in to how often a soil is likely to need more moisture, because a sandy soil will allow water to drain away much faster than a heavy clay!

 

Assess Soil Moisture

Check Soil Moisture Regularly

In order to quickly and easily check soil moisture, simply insert your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at this depth, it’s time to water. If it feels moist, hold off until it dries out a bit. Remember, a mulched garden bed will retain more water than bare soil.

Use a Moisture Meter

For a more scientific approach, accuracy, especially in larger pots or garden beds, a moisture meter can help gauge soil moisture levels more precisely. Again, be sure to know your plant’s needs! Some plants prefer to have the soil dry out in between watering.

 

Adapt to Weather Conditions

Hot and Dry Weather

During times of drought and heat, increase watering frequency as plants will lose more moisture through evaporation. However, avoid overwatering; check soil moisture to determine when the plant actually needs water. This helps conserve the precious water resource – and keeps your bills down!

Rainy or Humid Weather

In rainy conditions, your job is already done! Equally, during humid times, reduce watering as the soil will retain more moisture. Always ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Watering Technique

Water Deeply & Infrequently

When watering, ensure the water reaches the root zone by watering deeply and slowly – a drip hose works well. This approach promotes deep root systems, resulting in a more robust plant in times of drought. Shallow, frequent watering can lead to weak root systems, less drought tolerance and potentially less access to soil nutrients.

You can experiment by watering a patch of ground with the amount of water you think a plant needs, then dig the same patch until you reach dry soil. You might be surprised at how much water you need to apply!

Drainage

Always ensure that pots or garden beds have good drainage. Excess water should be able to escape; standing water can lead to root rot.

 

Signs of Overwatering or Underwatering

Overwatering

Wilting, yellowing leaves, moldy soil surface, the smell of rotten eggs (or sulphur) or simply seeing standing water are all signs of too much water. Basically, you should reduce watering and ensure good drainage for the plants. After all, leaving plants in waterlogged conditions can kill them quickly – unless, of course, they’re specially adapted for those conditions!

Underwatering

Look for wilting, an overall ‘limp’ appearance, dry leaf edges. Increase watering but do so gradually to avoid sudden changes.

 

Practical Tips

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and give plants time to absorb moisture before the heat of the day.

In addition, the use of a natural mulch not only helps retain soil moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering, it can also feed the soil.

Furthermore, having a ‘living’ soil, with plenty of beneficial soil organisms present can help build good soil structure, helping with moisture and nutrient retention and nutrient cycling! In brief, this means moving from chemical fertilizers to a more natural option such as hen manure pellets, and cut out the use of pesticides or herbicides altogether.

By following these guidelines, you’ll help ensure that your plants receive the right amount of water without risking waterlogging. If in doubt, adjust based on your plant’s specific needs and local conditions.

A simple soil test can tell you a great deal. Give us a call today if you’d like help with analysing your garden soil – we’d love to hear from you!

A great garden begins with a great design. If your garden needs a refresh, please get in touch today!