How to water plants correctly

Watering plants can be a challenge, especially when it starts to get hot. You have to be aware and often You are not sure if you are getting the frequency and quantity right. We offer you a few tips to avoid drowning your plants or killing them with thirst.

1. Water early in the morning

As you know, it is not a good way to water towards noon. The best time is between 3 and 5 in the morning, when the earth and the air have reached the minimum temperature, which implies that the least amount of water evaporates and the plants have enough time to absorb vital moisture.

Since not everyone is such an early riser, plants should be watered in the morning if possible. The air is still relatively cool, not much water has evaporated and the plants are starting the day well.

However, if you water during the day, a lot of water evaporates unnecessarily, which means that the consumption is much higher. If you can’t water your plants in the morning, the second best time to water them is in the early afternoon.

On the other hand, if you water the entire plant when the sun shines, the water droplets make a magnifying glass effect that burns the leaves This can cause brown, dry leaves to appear.

2. Pour the water on the earth

There are more reasons not to water on the leaves. First of all, when watering close to the ground, the water reaches the roots directly. On the other hand, the wet leaves of plants are susceptible to fungus or putrefaction.

Plants that are prone to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulginea and Erysiphe cichoracearum)like zucchini, squash, or cucumbers, are more likely to get it if they have constantly wet leaves.

Tomatoes take on the dreaded late blight with much more ease due to the wet leaves in the lower area. However, at least with this plant you can minimize the risk by completely removing the lower leaves. This also applies to roses, paniculate phloxes and scabies.

3. Water flowering plants, vegetables and lawns vigorously

Plants must be watered abundantly. This applies to flowering plants, vegetables and also lawns. For example, tomatoes, zucchini or cucumbers they are happy to have five to ten liters at a time instead of getting a few liters now and later.

As a result of little or irregular watering, zucchini or cucumbers can sometimes only develop male flowers and therefore they will not bear fruit. The tomato can react with blossom rot if it is too dry or if it is watered irregularly.

4. Aromatic plants must be watered sparingly

Rosemary, thyme, lavanga and other aromatic plants can live with little water. The same can be said of the olive tree. They are more likely to have problems with excess than shortage.

5. Take the finger test

The finger test makes watering plants much easier. Poke your index finger into the soil to see if it has only dried on the surface or deeper. If you have sunk half of your finger into the ground and you feel moisture, then it will not be absolutely necessary to water the plant.

6. Remove weeds and water less

In order to water your plants less, you must ensure that the soil is free of weeds (actually there are no weeds, just unwanted weeds). At the same time, the soil loosens and the plant it can absorb water much better.

7. Water less frequently thanks to mulch

Mulching (or mulching) the plant bed is a good idea both in the garden and in balcony pots, as it minimizes the effort involved in watering the plants. Mulch can be made from grass clippings left to dry in the sun for a few days. are also suitable straw, bark or wood chips. You can even add gravel, which will also increase the time the soil stays wet.

8. Water with rainwater

Plants prefer rainwater to calcareous water that comes out of the tap. Just leave your sprinklers outside when it rains. In this way, you will save drinking water and do something good for your plants.

9. Water with lukewarm water

Make sure that the irrigation water is neither too cold nor too hot. Plants prefer rather warm irrigation water, especially in hot weather.