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Did you know that about 80% of Americans take part in gardening with both indoor and outdoor plants, according to Florgeous? If you want to join them, then you’ll want the plants you have to thrive and not fail. Watering is one of those activities that can make things go very right or very wrong, so it’s crucial that you understand the best way to water your plants. Take a look at this list of tips to help you with watering your plants.
Water Under the Leaves
Despite cartoons showing characters sprinkling water from a watering can over an entire plant, you shouldn’t copy that behavior in real life. Watering over a plant is nice when you want photos of dewy leaves and petals, but that water can encourage fungal growth. Plus, the water that hits the leaves and that doesn’t run off doesn’t help the plant at all since it just evaporates. Instead, water under the leaves at the base of the plant’s stalk or trunk. The water goes directly into the soil near the roots and is much more beneficial for the plant.
Use Drip Irrigation If Possible
If your garden plants are in a garden bed, then consider using drip irrigation. This is a system where you bury a thin hose just under the soil’s surface next to the plants you need to water. The hose has tiny holes in it that allow a thin trickle of water to leave the hose and soak into the soil. Drip irrigation reduces the risk of evaporation and is a great way to conserve water, especially in areas with high heat and low humidity.
Let the Soil Dry Out First
Some garden plants like boggy soil, but most want soil that drains well. Those plants don’t want to be in constantly wet environments that encourage fungal growth. One watering mistake people make is watering whether the plant needs it or not. You actually want to let the soil dry out a bit first by an inch to reduce the risk of root rot without completely drying out the plant.
If you’re adding garden plants, then you’ll need to know how to take care of them. Contact and visit Schwartz’s Greenhouse now to start looking at what you might want in your yard and to ask questions about best practices for care.
