Guide
Watering: when and how much
Most watering problems come from watering too often and too shallowly. Deep, infrequent watering builds stronger root systems and wastes less water.
Check before you water
Push a finger 5 cm into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water. If it still feels damp, wait. Surface dryness is misleading - the soil below is often still moist, especially in heavier soils.
Water deeply, not daily
A slow, deep soak every few days is better than a quick splash every morning. Deep watering encourages roots to follow moisture down into the soil, making plants more drought-tolerant. Shallow daily watering keeps roots near the surface where they dry out faster.
Time of day
Early morning is ideal - plants have water available through the hottest part of the day and foliage dries before nightfall. Evening watering leaves foliage wet overnight, which encourages fungal disease. Avoid watering in full midday sun if possible.
Target the roots
Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves. A watering can with a long spout or a drip hose delivers water where it is needed. Overhead watering wastes water to evaporation and can spread fungal spores between plants.
Mulching reduces watering needs
A 5 cm layer of compost, straw, or wood chip around plants dramatically slows evaporation from the soil surface. In a hot spell, a well-mulched bed may need watering half as often as a bare one.