You are here: Home > Tips for Watering Your Garden in the Summer



Tips for Watering Your Garden in the Summer

The summer months are approaching, and it's time to prepare for the upcoming season. One of the most important steps you can take this season is to water your garden. Most plants will have trouble staying alive in direct sunlight without ample water. If you don't water your plants enough, your vegetable garden will not be successful. When determining how much water to provide to your plants, some important factors are their size and variety.

It’s important to determine how much water your plants need while being careful not to overwater them. You can use a common watering can to water plants when the soil dries out. Here are summer garden watering tips.

1. Ensure the Plants Really Need Water


Do not water your plants if they do not need it. Sometimes just the surface of the ground is dry, and the plant will not benefit from being watered. The best way to check if your plant needs water is to stick your finger into the dirt. If your finger goes in slowly, then the soil is moist and there is no need for you to water the plant. If you can push your finger deep into the soil with little resistance, your soil is rather dry and watering is needed.

2. Water the Plants Late Afternoon or Early Morning


You may be wondering when the best time is to water your plants. Surprisingly, there is no specific time you should water. However, it is most useful in the early morning or late afternoon. If you water the plants early in the morning, then they will have a majority of the day to dry out, and they will be able to absorb much more moisture later on in the day. If you water them in the late afternoon, they will take longer to dry out.

3. Water the Roots, Not the Leaves


Traditionally, people used to water from the top of the plant, which did not make the roots very wet. It is best to water your plants by putting the hose or sprinkler underneath the plant and watering around the root. You want to do this because if you water directly on top of your plants, it will wet all of their leaves and stems, causing them to rot.

Also, plants absorb water through the roots, not the leaves. If you water the plant from the top, you will waste your time and water. You want to get the root area of your plant soaked because that is where it will absorb most of the water.

4. Water the Plants Slowly, Deeply and Less Frequently


Watering plants is a very intense process. The roots do not have time to absorb all of the water at once, so you have to ensure you provide them with a slow, deep and constant water supply. Also, most plants do not need to be watered frequently.

5. Spread Mulch Around Sensitive Plants and Flowers


The best protection a plant can have to prevent them from being overwatered is mulch. You should spread mulch around sensitive plants and flowers such as pansies and lilies. Mulching will help reduce evaporation, which means your plant needs less water. Mulch will reduce soil erosion, which can cause water to run off away from the plant.

Another benefit of mulching is that it helps retain soil moisture and protects your plants from being attacked by harmful insects and animals. This could mean planting in a location where you have not previously planted your garden or adding some rough bark, gravel or crushed rock around your plants.

6. Add Organic Compost to the Soil


If you have discovered that your plants are not receiving enough water, it is most likely because your soil does not contain enough compost. Organic compost is the secret to a garden that will never require over-watering. You should add compost to all plants, because this will improve your soil's ability to hold moisture. It will also improve the soil's drainage, making it much more effective for growing plants and vegetables.

7. Adjust Your Watering Schedule to the Weather


The most important thing to keep in mind when watering your summer vegetable garden is that you should adjust your water schedule according to the weather. You have to be flexible and make sure you are using the best technique for plant watering. If it is particularly hot, be very careful not to overwater your plants because this will cause them to rot.

Other Gardening Tips for Beginners


You should be aware of many other factors when maintaining your summer vegetable garden. One of the most important gardening tips for beginners is to make sure you remove any weeds around your plants. You do not want these weeds to grow and cause your plants harm. Weeds will tangle around the roots of your plants and prevent them from getting enough water, which will eventually cause the plant to die.

Another tip is to check the color of your plants regularly. Different colors indicate whether your plant needs water or not. If your plant's leaves turn red or yellow, it is a sign that you should be watering the plant because it is probably getting too much sun.

Another sign that indicates your plant needs water is if the leaves are pale. This means it is not getting enough water. If the leaves are turning brown, there is a chance you are overwatering the plants. The best way to prevent these problems is to regularly check on your plants and treat them for any problems you notice.

The Importance of Watering Your Garden


Plants need an adequate amount of water to help them thrive. You want your vegetable garden to be as successful as possible, which means each of your plants should grow large, healthy and produce fruiting flowers. You do not want to kill your plants by over-saturating the soil around them or causing leaves to rot.

However, plants susceptible to their environment require consistent watering to thrive. The following are some plants that will always require watering. If you find these in your garden, then make sure you’ve allocated the proper time to watering to enjoy delicious results all summer long.

  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

There are many benefits to watering your garden with the proper technique. This will allow you to grow the best vegetables and flowers possible. Ensure your plants get enough water to avoid weakening, drying out or shriveling up. Contact a local horticulturist or gardening service for more information on summer garden watering tips. They will be able to share with you the proper ways to irrigate your flowers and vegetables.