Watering a flower bed properly is an art in itself. After all, the species planted there usually have completely different preferences in terms of quantity and frequency. However, if you stick to the following seven rules, nothing can go wrong - and your plants will thank you with magnificent growth and lush flowers.
How do I properly water a flower bed?
To water a flower bed properly, never let it dry out completely, water thoroughly in small portions, adjust the amount of water to the plant's needs, avoid waterlogging, water the entire root ball and, best of all, water early morning or late evening without wetting leaves.
Don’t let the flowerbed dry out completely
Some gardeners have difficulty getting the right amount of water or watering regularly. Very few plants can tolerate constant moisture, but flowering plants in particular cannot tolerate regular drying out either. Therefore, ensure that the root ball never completely dries out. However, it can be allowed to dry out slightly; this stimulates root growth.
Always pour thoroughly and in small portions
Do not water too often, but rather less often and more thoroughly. So that the large amounts of water do not flow away unused before they seep in, always water in small portions: the next splash only occurs when the previous one has disappeared into the ground.
Adjust water amount to plant needs
Do not water all the flowers in the flower bed in the same way, but adapt the watering behavior to the actual needs of the respective species. You can reduce this work by placing plants with a similar need for moisture and nutrients in the bed.
Avoid waterlogging
Waterlogging occurs primarily when the soil is compacted and the excess irrigation water cannot simply seep away. You can solve this problem by subsequently installing drainage and loosening the soil, for example with a digging fork (€139.00 on Amazon) and a hoe.
Water the entire root ball
Never water the plant with water in just one specific spot, as this encourages one-sided root growth. Instead, water all around so that the precious water can reach all root parts.
Watering early in the morning or late in the evening
Especially on hot summer days, you should water either early in the morning or late in the evening when the blazing sun does not allow the moisture to evaporate immediately. In this way, despite and because of the heat, enough water reaches the roots.
Do not wet the leaves
Always water flowers from below and never wet the leaves or flowers - wet leaves, especially if they cannot dry quickly enough, are the ideal breeding ground for fungal diseases.
Tip
Sprinkler systems are only partially suitable for automatic watering of flower beds. It is therefore better to switch to drip or spray nozzle systems.