More garden trouble starts with the watering can than with any pest. The good news is that watering well is mostly a matter of habit – when, where and how much – and habits are free. These are the ones we teach at the bench.
Water the soil, not the leaves
Aim the rose or wand at the base of the plant. Wet leaves in the evening sit damp all night, and damp foliage invites the problems every gardener would rather avoid. A long-necked can or a wand makes it easy to get under the canopy where the roots actually are.
Deep and seldom beats little and often
A light daily sprinkle wets the top centimetre and teaches roots to stay shallow. A thorough soak once or twice a week sends water down and roots follow. Push a finger into the soil to the second knuckle: if it comes up damp, wait a day.
Morning is the kind hour
Morning water carries plants through the heat of the day and lets any splashed foliage dry quickly. Evening watering is second best; midday watering in full sun mostly waters the air.
Pots dry faster than you think
Terracotta breathes, which is wonderful for roots and demanding of the gardener – in high summer a small pot can need water daily. Group pots together to slow drying, and use saucers indoors so the water you give has time to soak rather than escape.
