If you’ve been growing tomatoes , cucumbers or squashes, you need to be extra careful how you are watering them to prevent diseases ruining your crops. Admittedly watering the garden and potted plants hasn’t been much of an issue this year thanks to the dreary, wet summer much of the UK has experienced. But during periods of warmer weather , the soil can dry out quickly and it’s important to make sure your shrubs are kept well hydrated.
However, simply reaching for the watering can or garden hose and dousing down your greenery isn’t the correct way to keep things alive. It could even be harming your crops and flowers. Gardening expert James Brooks says the best way to water plants is at the base and not all over, especially not on the leaves.
He explained why to Ideal Home : "When watering you want the water to get to the roots, not the leaves," he said. As well as making sure the roots get as much moisture as possible, he also revealed why excess droplets on the leaves can actually cause other problems for any crops you’ve been cultivating. "With certain plants that are prone to diseases like powdery mildew (things like tomatoes, cucumbers, and squashes), you really want to keep your foliage dry with a lot of air circulation to delay the onset of this as long as possible, extending the season where you can get your delicious produce!" It’s not just fungal infections that plants are in danger of from exuberant watering either.
. The most delicate varieties could also be damaged. "With some very tender plants, it can even create a scorch-like effect," he warned.
While you will want to make sure your garden gets enough of a soaking on sunnier days, it’s important not to over water as this can mean a plant sits in water, which can suffocate the root. Again this can lead to fungal diseases and root rot. Crops and shrubs flourish with a strong root system that means they can always access moisture and nutrients.
It will also make your veg taste better. When it comes to what time of day to give the garden a drink, the cooler (early or late) hours are better for the simple reason that less water will evaporate. While James doesn’t agree that plants can 'burn' if watered in the sun, he does think doing it when the sun is lower will give droplets more chance to get to the roots, where they need to be.
Do you have any tips for keeping your garden well watered? Let us know in the comments below..
