Be Water Smart in the Garden - Ajit Patel Wellness, Ajit Patel UK

The first rule of successful gardening is remembering to water the plants. It’s so simple that even tiny children can grasp the concept. But with something so instinctive, it’s easy to forget that there are right ways and wrong ways to water your garden. Here are some things to think about when it comes to watering:

Choose the right time of dayThe time of day that you water your plants is important – especially in summer. When the sun is beating down, you should avoid watering your plants at the hottest part of the day as the water can simply evaporate meaning that your plants will not get the full benefit. Instead, water your plants early in the morning or in the evening. Many gardening experts suggest that morning watering is best as this sets up your plants with a good source of moisture to see them through the day.

Water the rootsIt may sound obvious but it is the roots of the plant that need the water so if you are using a hosepipe or watering can to water your plants, make sure the water is getting to the roots and not simply hitting the foliage.

How much water?How much water your plants need will depend on the individual species of plant and the time of year. If you are growing salad leaves and vegetables you may need to vary the amount of water you give different plants – for example, lettuces often need a lot of water whereas beans can survive with much less. Meanwhile some crops such as potatoes can suffer from too much water and may turn mouldy if they become waterlogged.

Holiday wateringRemember to plan well ahead if you are going on holiday as you may need to recruit a friend or neighbour to water your garden while you are away. After investing several months watching seedlings grow, you don’t want your good work to be undone in a week or two when you are away. If you don’t have anyone you can ask to pop in, take a look online or at your local garden centre for automatic watering devices that will help keep your plants watered.

Use the right toolsIf you are watering a large area such as a lawn, you may find a hosepipe set on a sprinkler setting is the easiest way to water. However, if you are watering more delicate plants such as salad leaves or seedlings; a small watering can would be better so that the force of the water doesn’t damage the plants.

Mulch to save waterOf course, it’s important to save water wherever possible and using mulch can be a great way to make your watering routine last longer. If you’re new to gardening – mulch is simply a layer of material such as bark chippings or straw placed around the base of your plants to help lock in moisture. Mulching can also help protect plants from pests and weeds.

Invest in a water buttA water butt is a great way to make the most of rain water and makes an ecologically-friendly alternative to taking water straight from the tap.

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