It has been hot and dry in summer for several years. There are a few tricks when watering that will help prevent your home garden from becoming devastated. We explain how you can get your plants used to little water and reduce their water requirements. This means that even thirsty flowers, perennials and grasses thrive in the heat and get through the summer well.
Get plants used to little water: reduce the water requirement step by step
Heat, dryness, drought: everything that turns the cozy garden into a devastated landscape. To prevent this, you should regulate the watering, right? Actually, most plants are true survivors and can adapt to longer periods of drought - as long as you support them with the right care.
Regulate the watering
Many hobby gardeners make the same mistake: they regularly provide the plants with lots of water. They get used to it and only form short roots that can absorb the irrigation water from the upper layer of soil. They cannot withstand long periods of drought and will quickly die if you suddenly water them less. On the other hand, it is optimal to water the plants less often, but heavily. There are several basic rules that you should keep in mind:
- For young plants, wait until the soil has dried slightly and only then water. The plants are only watered from below; leaves and shoots should remain dry. When it's hot, water more slowly than usual so that the dried soil can absorb the water better.
- With old plants, wait until they have almost dropped their leaves. Only then, very slowly, water the root area.
Through the alwayslonger dry periodn root growth is promoted. The plants can also absorb moisture well from the lower layers of the soil and can therefore easily withstand longer periods of drought.
Only water the plants from below
In long-term heat, the plants should only be watered from below. This means that the water actually reaches exactly where the plants really need it – in the soil. Wet leaves and shoots can cause sunburn and make plants more susceptible to disease. The lawn sprinkler is also of little use - it is not designed for trees and plants with dense growth.
Accustom plants to little water: Water early in the morning
The right time to water is early in the morning. On the one hand, the water seeps into the lower soil layers in the morning hours and the plants can absorb it better. On the other hand, waterlogging is prevented. Since the upper layer of soil dries slightly by evening, the plants are less likely to be attacked by fungi, bacteria and mold spores.
If you also regularly loosen the soil, you will ensure better moisture absorption and prevent the water from evaporating quickly.
Mulching in summer: Only helps to a limited extent
For now: Mulching has many benefits for garden plants. But only when they are expelled. The mulch layer made from cocoa shells or slate is suitable for young plants; bark mulch can also be used for older plants. This layer of mulch protects the soil from drying out and keeps the roots cool. Especially in hot weather it is very important that the root area is well shaded. This can also be achieved by planting under the bushes and trees.
Remove weeds
Weeds and bedding plants are all too often in competition. Especially in hot weather, weed plants can use their long roots to extract water from the soil. The flowers and perennials then simply dry out, even if you water them extensively and regularly. It is therefore very important that weed plants are removed regularly and that they are not allowed to spread in the garden.
Shade pot and container plants in hot weather
Potted and container plants have a particularly difficult time in summer. This is because the soil in the bucket dries faster than in the bed. When it is hot, the plants must therefore be shaded additionally. So even if you have real sun worshipers in the pot, you should always keep the root area cool. For this purpose, you can plant taller potted plants under them or simply spread a layer of mulch.
You can get the garden plants used to less watering. You just have to consistently follow the following care tips:
1. Avoid root competition between crops. Plant the plants at the necessary minimum distance.
2. Remove weeds.
3. Water early in the morning and only from below.
4. Water young plants more often and never let the soil dry out in the first few weeks.
5. Then gradually regulate the watering. Water less often, but more extensively.
6. In hot and dry conditions, water the plants slowly so that the soil can absorb the water.
7. Mulch the root area or plant under trees.
8. Shade potted plants
