This summer it has been “ Hot Hot Hot.” The heat is relentless and makes caring for your plants feel like a chore. With all this heat, your plants will dry out a lot faster. It is important to consistently water your plants to keep them happy and healthy.
Let's take a look at some tips for proper watering.
Watering- First, check your soil for moisture so you don't over water. A plant can look the same whether it is too wet or too dry. Second, you want to make sure to water slowly so it can be absorbed. It is better to water more thoroughly less often than a little bit each day. The old gardener's adage “an inch of rain each week is enough” is a myth. You must observe each plant individually. In most cases, an inch is not enough. A little rain doesn't count as a watering. Most of the water will run off and not get down to the roots.
Time of Day- From a plants perspective, the time of day is less important than the amount of water it needs. Water droplets will not magnify the sun and burn the leaves. However, watering at night is more effective because the plant can recover and you won't lose as much water through evaporation
Wilting- If your plant wilts at midday but perks up in the evening or morning, it's a heat tolerance issue not a watering issue.
How Often to Water-
New Trees and Shrubs- New trees and shrubs need frequent watering until established, depending on the weather and the plant, they might need water two to three times per week during the summer.
Established Plants- For many plants, once they have been planted for a year or more, they should be established enough to only need water during drought conditions
Containers and Hanging Baskets- Anything growing in a container will dry out even faster than if it was planted in the ground. You might even have to water a hanging basket or planter every day in the scorching heat.
Watering is a judgment call. Just pay attention to your plants needs, watch the weather, and water when needed.
