How to Water Your Plants Correctly

The key to keeping your plants happy and healthy is to water them correctly. If you water them incorrectly, they could be at risk for disease and may even die. But it’s not hard to get the hang of this essential garden skill, as long as you remember some basic tips.

Best Watering Techniques,Best Ways to Water Plants and Gardening Tips

It’s important to water the soil rather than the foliage when watering. Wetting the leaves can cause mold to grow and is a waste of water. Also, wetting the leaves encourages diseases like powdery mildew and can ruin flower buds. It’s much more effective to water the roots, because that will soak into the soil and hydrate the entire plant.

When to Water Your Plants

The most effective time to water plants is early in the morning, when it’s cool enough for water to seep into the soil. This will prevent the soil from becoming too wet, which can cause damage to the leaves and encourage disease.

Alternatively, you can water them in the evening, but this can be detrimental to their health because it causes the leaves to remain damp for an extended period of time. In addition, if you water them in the evening, they can’t dry out completely overnight, which is another way to increase the likelihood of diseases developing.

How to Tell When to Water Your Plants

The best way to determine when your plants need water is by sticking a finger into the soil and checking for moisture. You can also buy a moisture meter that sticks in the soil and sends you an email when it needs watering.

If the top inch of soil feels moist, you probably don’t need to water it. But if the soil is dry up to an inch deep, you’ll want to give it a quick drink.

Watering Flowers

Some flowering plants, such as lilies and roses, need extra water to stay alive. They need to be watered regularly, but don’t water the stems, because this will encourage fungal diseases and rot the buds.

Watering Your Garden

The number of times you should water your plants depends on a variety of factors, including the type of plant, its age, its location and the climate. Generally, you’ll need to water more frequently in the summer than in winter.

Don’t Overwater Your Plants

Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is the most common problem. To avoid this, it’s best to water your plants only when they need it and only in small amounts, which can be done by using a hose, watering can or sprinkler.

You can also use a drip-tape or soaker hose to get more water into the ground and help the roots grow stronger. However, this method is often more expensive than other methods and should be used sparingly.

Tip 1: Always water plants from the bottom of the container, not the top. This is especially important for pots with drainage holes in the bottom.