Our Top Summer Watering Tips

As the warmer summer temperatures are upon us, proper watering becomes even more crucial for the health of your garden.

Whether you have a lush garden or a few potted plants on your patio, we hope you’ll find our top watering tips a helping hand, ensuring your plants receive the hydration they need to withstand the heat and thrive in dryer conditions.

1. Maintain good soil moisture

Most plants depend on consistent watering. However, allowing the soil to slightly dry out before watering can promote healthy root growth.

2. Water less often, but thoroughly

It is better to water less often but with ample water rather than providing small amounts of water frequently.

There is no simple rule of thumb for watering as each plant has different needs – container plants in hot, sunny weather may need daily watering, while mature shrubs might only require watering during extreme drought conditions. In flower beds, one to two watering sessions per week are generally sufficient.

3. Water late evening or early morning

Watering soil that has cooled down in the evening or at night results in less water evaporation compared to watering on hot soil during the day. Plants can then absorb enough water to sustain themselves before the next day’s heat.

If possible, water in the morning as plants utilise water when the sun rises. Morning watering also keeps the foliage and soil surface drier for longer periods, discouraging slugs, snails, and mildew diseases.

4. Keep leaves dry to avoid diseases

Plants primarily absorb water through their roots from the surrounding soil or compost. It is essential to direct water to where it is needed, specifically the root tips and not the leaves. Wet or humid foliage encourages fungal problems and increases water evaporation from the leaf surfaces.

5. Ensure the water reaches the roots

Proper watering involves ensuring that water reaches the plant’s roots adequately. Insufficient amounts of water often only wet the upper layer of soil. Adequate watering is particularly crucial for crop plants until their produce is ready for harvesting, as they rely on consistently moist soil.

6. Water gradually

Water requires time to seep into the soil. Instead of letting precious water in the garden bed flow away unused, it is better to water in multiple sessions, allowing the soil to absorb the water effectively.

7. Use rainwater

Rainwater is an excellent choice for plants and should be the first option for gardeners if it can be collected and stored. Tap water requires treatment and energy for delivery and may contain minerals that exceed the needs of many plants, especially ericaceous plants. In dry spells, water from indoors can also be used. Installing a water butt is highly beneficial for harvesting rainwater. When rain is predicted, set up water butts or prepare existing ones to collect the water. If you don’t have a water butt, you can still use watering cans or old bins to collect rainwater. We stock a selection of water butts to get you started.

8. Save water with an olla pot.

Reduce watering and help plants thrive with the Deroma Aquado. Buried in the soil, this unglazed terracotta pot slowly releases water directly to plant roots through natural capillary action.

Simply fill it with water and let it work – it can keep plants watered for 5 to 9 days and save up to 70% of water compared to traditional watering methods, making it ideal for raised beds and containers.

9. Add saucers to plant pots

Place a saucer under your plant pots where possible to catch excess water. This helps reduce waste, keeps patios and decking cleaner, and allows plants to reabsorb moisture between waterings during warmer weather.

10. Use water saving gel in hanging baskets

Help hanging baskets stay hydrated for longer with Westland Water Saving Gel. Mixed into compost, the gel absorbs and stores water, then releases it gradually as plants need it.

This helps reduce watering frequency, minimises water waste, and keeps baskets looking their best during warm, dry weather.

11. Rehydrate dry pots by dunking

If a pot has become very dry, try immersing it in a tub of water for a few minutes. This helps the compost absorb moisture evenly, which can be difficult to achieve with surface watering alone.

Leave the pot submerged until the compost is thoroughly wet, then remove it and allow any excess water to drain before returning it to its usual spot.

12. Avoid waterlogging

Prolonged periods of sitting in soil saturated with water reduces the oxygen available to the roots and causes yellow leaves, root rot and eventually – a dead plant. Ensure proper drainage to prevent this issue, especially during wet summers and winter.

13. Bear in mind your soil type

Soils rich in clay minerals have better water-holding capacity, allowing water to be retained more evenly.

Sandy or chalky soils require more frequent watering but in smaller amounts, as excess water drains away easily.

Clay-based soils, on the other hand, can be watered less frequently but require larger quantities of water due to their higher water-holding capacity. Adding organic matter to the soil increases its ability to retain water.

The right watering is essential to ensure that your plants and your lawn stay green and healthy. We’re proud to stock an extensive range of GARDENA products, with everything you need to give your garden the irrigation supply it needs.