Time for a drink

KEEP PLANTS HAPPY WHEN THE SUN SHINES WITH SMART WATERING

- DAVID DOMONEY

HOT weather can make garden watering feel endless, but with a few smart techniques, you can reduce effort and waste while keeping plants healthy and happy.

Water deeply where it counts

The goal is to get water down to the root zone.

Moistening the top few centimetres isn’t enough, as it evaporates quickly and encourages shallow rooting.

Aim for about 20cm deep, using a soil moisture meter to check without disturbing plant roots.

This helps plants develop strong root systems and withstand dry periods better.

Plants with darker or thicker leaves often lose more moisture and may need extra, frequent watering.

Hanging baskets and small pots like consistent, moderate watering. Grouping containers together helps reduce evaporation and creates a sheltered, humid microclimate to ease plant stress.

Adding mulch to the surface of pots or borders also slows water loss and keeps roots cool in high temperatures.

Make watering work harder

Water early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day, when evaporation is highest. Evenings also work for this, but can create the perfect environment for slugs and snails.

Learn more about keeping slugs and snails at bay at my YouTube channel, @daviddomoney.