How to water plants effectively in a heatwave – myths debunked
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
Watering a garden can be a time consuming and sometimes thankless task. In a heatwave, it is essential to efficiently water your plants to stop them from wilting, getting stressed or dying due to exhaustion. Before you reach for the sprinkler and set your alarm for 5 am, you may want to read this guide to watering plants first!
The first myth to debunk is that watering plants during a heatwave will create droplets on leaves that turn into mini magnifying glasses. Scorching and burning the leaves. This, for the most part, is false. Plants survive quite happily in the wild with sun showers. They are not that delicate to frazzle during a shower followed by sun.
Another half myth perpetuated by the misconception that somehow plants roots will rise up and get scorched in the sun. Ideally, you want to water when plants are at their optimum condition to actively take up water. In the early morning and late evening, plants are transpiring (using water) far slower) yes it is true you should try and water at these times.
However, its a myth that you can only water at these times. If you need to water in the midday sun then you can. Of course, more of this water will evaporate and you will need far more for the plant to take it up given the sped of its transpiration is increased in full sun. It's not technically true that watering in the middle of the day will harm plants.
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Unless you're working in a controlled greenhouse with a misting system this is pretty much useless. Covering plants and flower beds with a fine mist of water will simply evaporate. Yes, it may slow down transpiration in plants (the method of water being taken up by the roots, distributed around the plants then released via leaf stomata) but in an open environment is highly inefficient in a heatwave.
Another falsity. Sprinklers are only efficient in terms of time spent standing manually watering. They are actually incredibly inefficient, especially in a heatwave. They water indiscriminately wetting leaves, paths and surrounding lawn areas.
Ok so we've debunked the myths but how should you water plants? This may sound incredibly obvious but there is a very clear correct efficient way vs the usual 'let's just soak anything' method that most new gardeners use.
The best way to water a plant in a heatwave and at any other time is to water as closely to the roots as possible. Giving the plant a thorough soaking. It's better to water thoroughly once a week than a drizzle every day which just encourages shallow rooting in plants.
I use a 5-second rule with a watering can or hose. Watering each plant at the base for at least 5 seconds. This means the plant has the best chance of taking up that water. Spraying the entire bed for a few minutes is largely a waste of time.
It may sound really obvious that I'm telling you how to water plants. However, if you consider the thousands of gardeners and preciousness of water resources then watering more efficiently not only benefits plants but the environment too!
If you've found this guide helpful why not follow me on Youtube where I've got plenty of garden guide vlogs. You can also Tweet, Facebook or Instagram me with your questions or thoughts. Happy Gardening!
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