If you think that correct watering just means regularly moistening your vegetable plants and flowers with plenty of water, you are definitely doing something wrong. Not only do plants that are not sufficiently watered grow more poorly and develop fewer flowers and fruits, but there is also a risk of fungal diseases and voracious pests.
When is the best time to water garden plants?
Garden plants are best watered early in the morning, ideally between 3 and 4 a.m., to minimize water evaporation and avoid damage from sunlight. Watering in the evening can attract snails and increase the risk of disease.
Never water at lunchtime
No matter whether in the morning or evening: especially during the hot summer months, you should avoid watering during lunchtime. 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 sunnier the plants are, the more so. For this reason, automatic sprinklers are not a good idea in many flower and vegetable borders: Instead, try to always water from below so that leaves and other above-ground plant parts stay dry.
Gardeners have to get up early
It's best to use the watering can 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 covered in dew, so additional water will not cause any damage. Furthermore, excess water dries off quickly due to the increasing heat and sunlight during the day. If you don't like getting up that early, you should complete 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 who find these conditions extremely heavenly. If you have a snail problem, changing the watering time could definitely help solve it.
Watering garden plants correctly – 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 he althy and strong:
- water early in the morning
- prefer penetrating and therefore water less often
- 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
- note the actual water requirements of different plants
- Avoid waterlogging
Tip
Do not water your plants according to a schedule, but rather as needed: This can vary greatly depending on the type of plant, growth phase, weather and temperature. Basically, you have to water again when the soil feels dry at a depth of about two centimeters when you test it with your finger.
