Preventing heat and drought stress on your plants
How do you go about watering your garden in hot weather? Well, it’s obvious that plants need more water the hotter it gets, as they lose more in transpiration. However, how and when you water can have a massive impact on plants – and your water usage.
I live in a dry area of the country (North-East England), in the rain shadow of the Pennines. My sister-in-law lives 15 miles away in Consett and gets lots more rain than us in Gateshead! Here are my 10 top tips, based on years of plants failing me in hot summers:
Watering your garden in hot weather – Use grey water
If you’re in a drought zone and there’s a hosepipe ban, you can use ‘grey water’ from baths or the washing up to water your plants.
Watering your garden in hot weather – Rain evaporates QUICKLY
Don’t be fooled by a short but heavy shower! Even a torrential shower will evaporate quickly in hot weather, so little water gets to the deep roots. You need a sustained spell of rain to make a difference.
Make pots a priority – and beware terracotta
Top of the list is almost always container plants, especially those in clay pots. Avoid using these for ‘thirsty’ plants – anything with big leaves is a good general guide. They’re best used for drought-tolerant succulents and pelargoniums. Pots will always need watering more than beds, especially hanging baskets. Be prepared to water these every day, even morning and evening if they’re small.
Better one soaking than frequent dribbles
How you water is important. Watering every evening with just a dribble will encourage surface rooting, so plants will dry out faster. Beat this vicious circle by thoroughly soaking pots and beds at soil level once or twice a week. The water will percolate deeply and plants’ roots will follow it, so they’re better prepared for drought and extreme heat.
Think big butts!
Install as many water butts as you can. I have two linked together, so instead of overflowing, water runs into the second butt. I also have a slimline version linked to the guttering on the greenhouse. Plants prefer rainwater and convenient water butts mean you can do ‘top-up’ watering of thirsty veg without getting the hose out.
Timing is vital
When you water is also important. Always avoid it during the day unless absolutely necessary. The evening is the most efficient time to water, then early morning. The higher the temperature, the more water evaporates.
Watering your garden in hot weather – Use mulch
Prepare ahead for hot weather. In autumn, late winter and spring, either dig in organic matter or use a thick organic mulch to increase the water-holding capacity of your soil.
Know your soil
On that note, take note of your soil type. Mine is clay, so the beds do hang onto the water but if they dry out, they become baked hard. Sandy soils can’t hold water, so water little and often and go for drought-tolerant plants.
Water at the roots
Burying an old plastic bottle with the end cut off the top first is a good way to get water to the roots slowly. I find this works well, especially for courgettes and beans. Some plants, like courgettes, rot if the leaves and stems get wet.
Watering your garden in hot weather – Feed plants
Of course, plants need to be fed as well as watered. Warmth and more water trigger excess growth so make sure they don’t go short on food. A general seaweed-based organic liquid is good for a general feed, or high-potash tomato feed for fruiting plants (try half strength to boost flowers).
