Whether flowers, vegetables or the lawn: all plants need water. However, you can do a lot of things wrong when watering your garden, which can quickly cause problems for sensitive plants. However, this can be easily prevented by following our tips.
How should you water plants correctly?
When watering plants, the right time (early morning or late evening), the correct method (from below and in the root zone) and the appropriate amount of water (depending on the plant species) are crucial to ensure optimal plant growth and he alth.
The right time
Especially during the hot summer months, the timing also determines whether watering makes sense: If you tend to reach for the watering can at lunchtime, your plant will most likely not receive enough water. The majority of the valuable water does not seep into the ground, but evaporates immediately. You should therefore supply your garden with water either early in the morning or late in the evening: at these times the degree of evaporation is significantly lower and more moisture reaches the roots. Ideally, water between three and four in the morning, as the soil is cooler here and the plant can absorb more water. If you don't want to get up so early, you can do the morning watering until six o'clock.
What is the best way to water?
Irrigation systems are very practical, but they can cause significant damage to many plants. Vegetable plants, as well as shrubs and perennials, should always be watered from below if possible so that the leaves are not wetted and remain dry. Wet leaves can lead to fungal diseases, such as the dreaded late blight of tomatoes. So always water directly in the root area, but never in just one place: Plants should always be watered so evenly that all roots get enough water. Otherwise, uneven growth may occur or plants may partially die.
The right amount
Make sure you get the right amount, because different species have very different water requirements. While some should not dry out under any circumstances, others should be kept as dry as possible. Waterlogging, in turn, is fatal for a large proportion of garden plants.
Tip
The rule of thumb for correct watering is: the larger the leaves of the plants, the more water they need due to the higher evaporation.
