Anyone who thinks that watering properly just means giving your vegetables and flowers plenty of water on a regular basis is definitely doing something wrong. Not only do plants that are not sufficiently watered grow poorly and develop fewer or fewer flowers and fruits, there is also a risk of fungal diseases and voracious pests.
The garden is best watered early in the morning or late in the evening
Never water at lunchtime
It doesn't matter whether it's in the morning or in the evening: Especially during the hot summer months, you should avoid watering at midday if possible. Then it is often so warm that the irrigation water evaporates immediately and does not reach the roots at all or in insufficient quantities. Quite apart from that, even the smallest water droplets act like a magnifying glass and can cause serious damage to leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits - and the more so, the sunnier the plants are. For this reason, automatic sprinkler systems are not a good idea in many flower and vegetable borders: instead, try to always water from below so that leaves and other plant parts above ground remain dry.
Gardeners have to get up early
The best time to water is either early in the morning or late in the evening, although experts recommend watering early in the morning between three and four o'clock. At this point, the ground is cooler and leaves are already wet with dew, so more water won't do any harm. Furthermore, excess water dries off quickly due to the increasing heat and sunlight during the day. However, if you don't want to get up that early, you should have made up for this task by six in the morning at the latest. Watering in the evening, on the other hand, has the disadvantage that the moisture lingers longer - and attracts voracious snails, which find these conditions extremely paradisiacal. If you have a snail problem, changing the watering time could well help solve it.
Water garden plants properly - the most important tips
In addition to the right time, there are a number of other tips for correct watering. This is how your garden plants get through the summer healthy and strong:
- water early in the morning
- prefer penetrating and less frequent watering
- never water in small sips - the water does not reach the roots
- ensure good drainage: prefer loose soil, loosen heavy soil thoroughly
- always water after fertilizing
- Always water shrubs, perennials and vegetables from below, never from above
- consider the actual water requirements of different plants
- Avoid waterlogging
tips
Do not water your plants according to a schedule, but as needed: This can vary greatly depending on the plant species, growth phase, weather and temperature. Basically, it has to be watered again when the soil feels dry at a depth of about two centimeters during a finger test.