It can be tricky to find a watering routine that works for individual plants and crops. What seems like a simple job of nourishing outdoor plants with some liquid love can actually require a little more thought and preparation to make sure plants are happy and healthy.
So, whether it’s an allotment or garden, gardeners should think more carefully when it comes to watering their plants.
1. Rise and shine! Water outdoor plants early in the morning as the soil will still be cool, giving water the best chance of travelling down to the root before the sun evaporates it. Early morning watering also means that your plants will have enough water to last throughout the day, especially during hot weather, even if the top of the soil is dry to touch.
2. Give plants a heavy dose of water less frequently. Watering your plants so that it drenches the soil is more effective for plant growth as the roots will be encouraged to travel further into the earth for water, creating a stronger root system over time.
3. Make sure to move the watering can around so that all root points are nourished properly. Delivering water to one place can stunt the growth of other root systems as they are unable to absorb the nutrients from the soil. So, make sure to move around!
4. Don’t rely on rain to water plants, it might not come! This is especially true during the summer months as plants could go weeks without any water. Plus, even if it does rain, it isn’t always the most effective way of getting a sufficient amount of water to plants, so it’s best to assess the soil and water accordingly.
5. Give those containers a little bit more love! Soil in containers generally dries out a lot quicker than in flower beds, so you may need to water them more frequently. Generally, the smaller the container, the more often it will need watering, so plants have a constant source of nourishment that will help them grow!
