The secret to watering plants
It's all too easy to get it wrong when it comes to watering your plants so here’s what you need to know...
Did you know you could actually drown your plants simply by overwatering? Many gardening books suggest we should give our plants one centimetre of water per week. The problem with this rule of thumb is that it doesn’t take into account different climates or rainy days. So how should you make sure you’re looking after your plants but not killing them with kindness?
• To water your plants correctly, you should first consider what type of plant it is. If it comes from a tropical rainforest, it’s highly likely that it will need lots of water. However, if it’s a desert plant, it can survive without water for a few weeks.
• You should also consider the type of soil you have in your garden. Sandy soils will need more water than other types.
• Generally speaking, try to water as little as possible, but when you do, be as generous as you can without flooding the roots!
• Finally, bear in mind that watering your plants in the heat of midday isn’t ideal, because the water will evaporate too quickly and their roots will start growing towards the surface in search of water. The best time to water is in the morning, so that plants can absorb it and have enough energy to cope with all kinds of weather.
SUPER SAVVY TIP:
Use your water butt
Water butts aren’t just a way to feel eco-friendly, many of your garden plants will prefer to be watered with rainwater they are used to instead of house tap water.