Our Tips for Mastering the Art of Watering
For the gardener, watering is a complement or a substitute for rain. It’s an action you need to master well to both maximize its effectiveness and limit the amount of water used. It may be one of the most important tasks for a gardener to master. This is true even for producers, professionals who are well-versed in this technique.
Water: An Essential Element for the Health of Your Plants
Water dissolves mineral salts in the soil, transforming them into nutrients that the plant can absorb. A plant contains, on average, between 85% and 95% water, most of which is absorbed through the roots.
Water is therefore a crucial element for the good health of your plants. Too often, we neglect to be attentive and methodical about watering, which can slowly but surely lead to cultivation problems. A well-established plant can adapt or tolerate certain cultivation issues, whereas a young plant may be vulnerable to them.
6 Actions to Reduce Your Plants' Watering Needs
To help you reduce the watering needs of your plants, here are some actions and habits you can adopt.
Hoeing
A "crusted" soil hinders water penetration into the ground. Therefore, break the crust by hoeing (in a flowerbed) or by making holes (in a pot) to allow water to penetrate deeply.
Mulching the Soil
Mulching the soil with straw, dead leaves, grass clippings, bark, or gravel limits soil evaporation, thereby reducing watering needs during dry periods.
Maintaining a Good pH
The pH at which minerals are most absorbable by most plants is between 5.4 and 6.2. Water can influence this pH: alkaline water, like that from some wells, can raise the pH, while acidic water can lower it.
Good Knowledge of Your Plants
Even though each plant has specific water needs, wise gardeners arrange their ornamental plants according to their general watering needs. Thus, areas with plants that require more water for their life cycle are watered more frequently than those that tolerate drought.
Planting the Right Plant in the Right Place
Plants that need more constant water supply are placed in moist soil or amended with compost. Those that tolerate drought will decorate drier areas.
Digging a Watering Basin After Planting a Tree
After planting a tree, allow it to benefit longer from rain and watering by shaping a circular basin around the trunk to retain these flowing waters near the roots.
Watering Tips to Apply
Watering is an art. Knowing when and how often to do it is important. Here are our tips on the matter.
The Right Time
Preferably water in the morning, early enough, to limit evaporation and prevent the water-soaked foliage from burning when the hot sun rays hit it.
The Frequency
It's better to water thoroughly than frequently. Too much watering can disrupt a plant's natural cycle, leading to the appearance and development of diseases. It's the climatic conditions that should guide you on the frequency of watering, such as:
- lack of rain
- temperature
- low humidity.
The Best Way to Water Your Plants
The best way to water most plants is to bring the water directly to their roots. Therefore, remove the watering can's rose to introduce the spout directly under the plant's foliage: this way, you avoid some water loss. This method does not create conditions favorable for the development of diseases, such as mildew or powdery mildew.
Rainwater Harvesting: An Ecological but Also Economical Gesture
Place containers like a tank or barrel under the downspouts that evacuate rainwater from the roof and store a good amount of water for our summer gardening.
With a fine mesh screen placed over open containers, prevent insects from laying eggs on the water surface or in the water. Empty these reservoirs for the winter period to prevent the container from breaking.
This increasingly popular practice provides a good amount of non-calcareous, non-chlorinated, and often not too cold water.
Tips and advice
