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Drought and plants are incompatible. Especially during hot and dry summers, plants can dry out and eventually die. But even in winter you need to be vigilant and water the plants from time to time. How should I manage watering then? Here are our tips!
When do I water my plants?
Do not rush to water mature, deep-rooted plants. It is easier to kill a plant by over-watering it than if it suffers a little drought. When the top layer of soil is dry, the lower layers are usually still moist, so plants will have access to water. Only during extreme drought, when the deeper soil layers are dry and the plants start to wilt, is it time to water again.
The best times to do this are:
Please note: newly planted or sown plants need more water than established plants. In this case, the top layer of soil should always be moist, to help these “newcomers”.
Advantages and disadvantages of watering cans, garden hoses, sprinklers or an automatic watering system.
A watering can allow you to control the right amount of water, pouring more or less according to the need of each plant. The biggest disadvantage is the physical effort involved in carrying the watering can back and forth.
A hose can reach every corner of the garden – the spray gun reduces watering time and helps you aim the water where it’s needed! An added bonus: Some include filters that retain limescale or sustainable filters that help to save water, avoiding water wastage making them more efficient!
Sprinklers are used once or twice a week, for at least 1-2 hours at a time. They work very simply, and are perfect for lawns and/or other large parts of the garden. However, a possible disadvantage is that you cannot take into account the specific needs of some plants. In addition, the leaves of plants remain wet for a prolonged period of time allowing fungus to develop.
Another option is to use an automatic watering system, which is installed in the garden and connected to a timer that allows you to program when and for how long to water. This method is really convenient if you don’t have that much time to invest in your garden, or if you tend to neglect the watering.
For a bountiful harvest or exuberant garden, fertilizing your plants should be a must. You can add liquid fertilisers to the water on a regular basis to get the most out of your plants. Don’t forget that during the cold season plants tend to stunt growth, so water less and reduce the amount – or don’t add fertiliser at all.
Could be quite difficult to see if your lawn is getting enough water. The simplest method to check is to place an empty glass on the lawn beforehand. Start watering. By the time this glass is full of water, the lawn is watered!
It may not seem to be enough, but to avoid killing our plants from overwatering it is a good measure. If you detect that your plants need more water, simply increase the frequency of watering.
In summer, even if you enjoy the warm weather, your garden may not share your joy as the plants can be thirsty! The first signs that plants need water are noticeable in their leaves, as they will be more listless and may even curl up on themselves.
But if you wait until brown or dry leaves appear, it means that it is already too late for watering. Therefore, as soon as the weather forecasts that hot days are on the way, water your plants abundantly and increase the frequency of watering when needed.
Potted plants cannot find water in the soil, so they dry out before. Water them generously, especially in summer. Place the pots in terracotta pots and make sure when watering that the water runs off the pot. And remember: the smaller the pot is, less water can retain, so you will need to increase the watering as the weather becomes warmer.
Deciduous plants rest in winter, but evergreens still evaporate moisture through their leaves. That is why they can dry out in winter, especially during bright, frosty days with lots of sunlight and a cold wind. Protect these plants in time by covering them with fleece or pine branches and don’t neglect watering. They will need so much less watering, but they still need water!
Not only climatic conditions are vital when deciding how much water your plants need, their substrate and location in the garden are also important. Generally speaking, a south-facing plant in sandy soil will almost certainly need more water than a north-facing plant in peaty soil.
Peat and especially coco fibre substrates retain moisture very well; if perlite or clay pebbles are added to the mix, the substrate will dry out quickly.
If after reading this article you are still worried about your plants drying out, or in case you sometimes forget to water your plants, we recommend you start using B’cuzz Silic Boost.
If applied from the start, plants will respond much better to dry weather conditions and other adverse circumstances. The silicon on B’cuzz Silic Boost builds up in the plant and reinforces the cell wall, which strengthens leaves and stems. This improves physical support of the plant and helps to reduce water loss in hot weather. It also has synergies with calcium, magnesium and potassium, improving their absorption and transport in the plant.
Find more information about B’cuzz Silic Boost and our other products on the website and don’t miss the content we upload daily to our social networks!