Blossoms on the Go Garden Centre owner Shirley Brohan breaks down the myths surrounding how much water your plants really need.
It’s been a fantastic couple of days, and I feel like a new woman after being out in the sun all day. The big question is how much water do I need to give my plants? Well, it’s like asking how long a piece of string is.
I will, however, try my best to give you a few tips. If your plant hangs its head and looks a bit sad, all is not lost. I would soak it in a pan or a bucket if it’s a small one. If it’s in a big container, get a jug and slowly water it, allowing the water to be absorbed.
Sometimes we are in a rush and just hold the hose over the plant, but this can push soil out and not give the pot a chance to fully absorb the water. When it comes to watering, I tend to be slow and steady and go over things twice. Then I check the planter by lifting it, and if it’s still very light, I water it again.
What time of day is best? If you are out and about in the morning, then that’s a good time, or late in the evening as the temperatures start to go down.
However, if you have a pot in trouble, you can give it some water and maybe just put it straight into the soil, avoiding the flower head, and then water it again later.
Now, everyone has their own way to water plants; this is just how I like to do mine. I feed them too every two weeks, and once you give your plants some attention, they can produce extra flowers (that’s the hope).
I hope that you are enjoying getting your pots filled with lots of color and that you are getting a chance to admire the fabulous garden you have created. If you feel there is a lot of green in the beds, maybe consider some perennials to give color throughout the summer, like lupins or nepeta. Or pop into the garden centre to get ideas. Maybe consider the height you need and the space available first.
There is so much potential at this time of year, considering what is available and what we want to do in our space. Keep enjoying the season, the color, and as always, shoot me some questions if you have any. Happy gardening!
