Watering outdoor plants seems like a simple task, but to ensure the health and vitality of your plants, a few tips are essential. Especially for potted plants that rely entirely on your care. Regardless of the plant type, also make sure pots have good drainage to prevent root rot!
Adjusting Watering According to the Plant
Before watering, knowing the specific needs of each plant is essential for optimal watering.
- Annual Plants: Annual plants tend to have higher water needs due to their rapid growth and short life cycle. To maintain their spectacular blooms, water regularly but avoid waterlogging. Slightly moist soil is ideal for these plants.
- Herbs: Herbs such as basil, thyme, or chives prefer slightly dry soil between waterings. Water them as soon as the soil surface begins to dry, but avoid overwatering.
- Perennial Plants: Perennial plants can have varying water needs depending on their species. Some, like lavender or sedums, prefer dry, well-drained soil. Others, like daylilies or astilbes, need consistently moist soil.
- Vegetables and Small Fruits: Vegetables and small fruits often have high water needs, especially during active growth and fruit production periods. Water them regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid excess water that could lead to root or fruit rot.
How to Tell If Your Plant Needs Water?
Don't rely solely on the soil surface, which may appear dry even if the substrate deeper down is still moist. Here are some tips to determine if your plants are thirsty:
- The Finger Test: Push your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle.
- If the surface is dry, but there's moisture a few centimeters deep, no need to water.
- If the soil is dry deep down, it's time to act.
- Observe the Leaves: Wilted or drooping leaves: Sign of lack of water. Yellowing or browning leaves: May indicate overwatering.
- Cracked or Shrunken Soil: The plant is thirsty!
- Lift the Pot: A light pot usually means the soil is dry.
When to Water: The Ideal Time
The best time to water your potted and in-ground plants is early in the morning or late in the day, when the sun is less intense.
- Early Morning: This is the ideal time to water. The soil is cool, evaporation is minimal, and plants have time to absorb water before the sun becomes too intense. This also allows foliage to dry before night, reducing the risk of diseases.
- Avoid Watering in the Mid-Afternoon: Watering when the sun is at its peak leads to rapid water evaporation before it reaches the roots, wasting precious resources.
- Monitor Soil Condition: The best way to know if a plant needs water is to check the soil moisture. Push your finger into the soil about 5 to 10 cm deep. If it's dry, it's time to water. Do not water if the soil is still moist.
How to Water Your Plants Properly: Slow and Deep
When watering your plants, be sure to do so uniformly and thoughtfully.
- Deep Watering: It's crucial to water less often, but for a longer duration. This encourages roots to grow deep into the soil, where moisture is better retained. Shallow watering promotes shallow roots that dry out quickly. Water must reach the roots.
- Target the Plant Base: Direct water directly to the base of the plant, near the soil, rather than watering the foliage. Watering foliage, especially in direct sun, can cause burns and promote fungal diseases.
- Use a Watering Can with a Fine Rose (Sprinkler Head) to avoid disturbing the soil and roots.
- Avoid Overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
- If you use a saucer under the pot, empty it after watering to prevent roots from sitting in water.
Additional Tips for Optimal Watering, Especially in Hot Weather:
- Use Efficient Systems: Soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems are very effective because they deliver water slowly and directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation.
- Prepare the Soil: Well-prepared soil with compost or planting mix (like Fafard's 3-in-1 organic planting mix for small fruits and acid-loving plants) improves water retention and allows for better absorption by the roots.
- Mulch: Applying a layer of mulch (like "Weed-Free" mulch) around your plants helps reduce water evaporation from the soil, maintains a cooler temperature for the roots, and limits weed growth that competes for water.
Temperature and Sunlight: Key Factors
Temperature and sunlight play a crucial role in the water needs of your potted plants.
- Hot and Sunny Weather: Plants tend to dry out faster. Water more often and in larger quantities.
- Cool or Cloudy Weather: Water needs may be lower. Space out waterings.
- Full Sun: Potted plants exposed to full sun dry out faster. The hotter and sunnier it is, the more water your plants will need. Closely monitor your plants during heat waves.
By mastering these techniques, you'll ensure the vitality of your garden, even when facing summer challenges!
