Watering plants, a lawn, or a vegetable garden in hot weather can be challenging. Many plants are particularly vulnerable in times of extreme heat. It is important that you water properly to protect the health of your plants. The good news is that a little planning and the right tools make the job easier. Here you will find helpful tips on how to water your garden in hot weather.
Plant defense mechanism in hot weather
Smart gardeners are those who can recognize changes in a plant's behavior. In particular, you need to recognize when a plant needs water and when it has received too much moisture. Some plants tend to grow during the day when temperatures are highto become weak. This is a kind of defense mechanism. By slowing down, the plant can use its resources more efficiently. It usually revives in the morning hours when it can absorb more water.
Other plants only let their leaves droop when they haven't received enough water. If these plants start to droop, they may be stressed. It is important that you provide them with water immediately.
These are the important tips that will help you summer your flowersto water properly:
- Water plants plenty on a sunny day.
- Water plants in the ground in the garden in the morning or evening: In hot weather, water in the morning when it is cooler. You could also schedule watering in the evening, just be careful not to get the water on the leaves of the plants.
- Avoid watering in full sun.
- Place potted plants in the shade or water them several times a day.
- Cold water from the tap is good for plants.
- Shield heat-sensitive plants from excessive sun.
- Planters dry out much more quickly than the soil and need to be watered more frequently, especially if they are in full sun or exposed to wind.
- Pay particular attention to shade plants and plants from cooler or wetter areas that are less adaptable to the current weather.
- Brown leaf edges and/or yellow leaves can indicate overwatering. Check before watering more.
Water your vegetable garden properly on hot days
Vegetables grow well when the roots are moist and the leaves or fruits remain dry. Young seedlings can survive with less water,larger vegetable plantsOn the other hand, they need more water to grow well. To water your vegetable garden in hot weather, let the hose rest on the soil surface and allow the soil to absorb the water. Also, run the water in a gentle stream around the roots of the plants.
When growing vegetables underground, you should make sure that the water does not pool in one place, otherwise it can lead to rot. Be careful not to get the vegetables wet,about diseases such as mildewto prevent those that thrive on moisture.
In very hot weather, water your vegetables at least two to three times a week and pay attention to your "indicator plant" - the first plant to wilt when the garden becomes dry. You always know to water when that plant has limp leaves. These are cucumbers, for example, because the large leaves quickly lose a lot of moisture. You should also know that in very hot, dry and sunny weather, the large-leaved plants will definitely wilt a little at midday, but should quickly recover in the evening.
How often to water the lawn in hot weather?
Since the lawn has a larger area than the other gardens, you will need a larger water source for irrigation: use hoses or pre-installed sprinklers. Water your lawn generously as most of the water seeps into the ground. Plants benefit much more from slow and deep watering than from a quick spray. Make sure you water your lawn deeply enough to reach the root ball. For best results, water thoroughly every other day. Your lawn should receive about 1 cm of water every two days to develop deeper roots and protect itself from drought. If you're going to be away for more than a day or two on summer vacation, it's worth setting up an automatic timer.
Maintain water in the soil with mulch
A layer of organic mulch spread around and underneath plants provides a welcome barrier between the moist soil and the hot sun. A 5-7cm layer of mulch makes a big difference in hot weather because it acts like a shade cloth, retaining moisture and cooling the plant roots. Without mulch, the intense sun will burn the soil and you will have to water the garden even more.
What kind of soil do you have in your garden?
It is important to know the soil type to determine your plants' watering needs. For example, a sandy or loamy soil needs to be watered more frequently than a clay soil. Stick your finger 3cm into the soil to check the moisture level and water your plants accordingly.
