THIRSTY PLANTS: OUR GUIDE TO WATERING 

Plants get just as thirsty as us in this heat, so here are a few tips on keeping your garden, pots and houseplants well hydrated: 

Outdoor plants 

• A long, deep watering every two or three days is far more beneficial than a light, daily water. In hot weather be generous. 
• Early morning or late evening is the best time to water, as less will evaporate. Avoid watering when the sun is shining on the garden – droplets on leaves can magnify the sun’s rays and scorch them. 
• Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting leaves wet. 
• Remember that watering washes away naturally-occurring nutrients in the soil, so the more you water, the more you need to fertilise. This is especially true of plants in pots. 

Indoor plants

• Check your houseplants every other day. Stick your finger in the soil and judge the moisture levels a couple of centimetres down.
• Know your plants’ needs – some need to be kept moist all the time, but others are more forgiving. Give us a shout if you are unsure!
• Again, a deep watering less regularly is better than a light one everyday.
• Don’t water in direct sunlight to protect those leaves. 
• Feed weekly during the Spring and Summer months to replace those washed-away nutrients.