Water is vital for ornamental and useful plants. If you water correctly, the plants will form strong roots and will therefore be better supplied with nutrients. It's not just a matter of watering enough, the approach you take also has an impact on plant he alth.
How do I water plants correctly and efficiently?
Proper watering of plants means watering sufficiently and regularly without causing waterlogging. Prefer watering at ground level, use rainwater and irrigate in the morning. Automatic irrigation systems help save time and water.
Why must watering be balanced?
In order for flowers to bloom profusely and vegetable plants to remain he althy, they need to be watered regularly. If they are too wet, fungi and viruses have an easy time of it and there is a risk of root rot. However, if the plants are too dry, they react by dropping leaves and the plants become susceptible to pest infestation and diseases promoted by drought.
How to water?
To save water, correct irrigation is important, not only in hot summers:
- If you water at the ground, the liquid goes directly to the root area. In addition, less of the precious liquid evaporates.
- Do not water the plants. Delicate plants such as kohlrabi or tomatoes could burst. There is also a risk of sunburn because the water droplets act like burning glasses when exposed to sunlight.
- Watere preferably in the morning, this keeps slugs and fungi away.
Rainwater: lime-free and free
Even if watering with a hose is a little less effort, you should use rainwater if possible. It has the ideal pH value and is free. In the garden you can collect it in a rain barrel, which is fed by the rainwater downpipe.
Automatic irrigation systems: time and water saving
The system of these irrigation systems is very simple: a pressure reducer is connected to the tap or a cistern with a pump. From here, small hoses with drippers or sprayers lead directly to the plants. These can be laid individually using connecting pieces and adapted to the garden design. Depending on the version, the amount of water emerging from the openings can even be regulated individually.
Water computers installed between the tap and the supply line (€41.00 on Amazon) are particularly convenient and automatically control when and how much water flows. A sensor measures the moisture in the soil and uses a watering timer to control the time during which watering takes place.
Tip
Please make sure that the rain barrel does not become a trap for insects and small creatures. Cover the container or at least place a large branch inside to provide a safe escape for crawling creatures. The container should also be covered in a childproof manner.
