More tips on watering plants in summer

Here are a few more tips for you expert St. Louis landscapers out there, and those in any part of the country that experience very hot summers.

Rule no. 6: Give larger water quantities in parts

Water needs a moment to seep into the soil. Before precious water in the bed flows away unused, it’s better to water repeatedly in parts.

Rule no. 7: Water with a target but distribute

Always watering at only one root point leads to one-sided root growth and thereby to poorer nutrient absorption in the soil. Therefore, always water around the plant and distribute in the entire irrigation area.

Rule no. 8: Irrigate in a way that saves water

Water as much as necessary and as little as possible. This is simplified with an automatic irrigation system with moisture sensor – in the bed, on the balcony and on the lawn.

Rule no. 9: Avoid waterlogging

Waterlogging suppresses the breathing air of the roots out of the soil – the root cells drown without oxygen.

Rule no. 10: Use quality, clay-rich soil

Not so much a summer watering tip, but more of a long-term maintenance issue. Plant soil rich in clay minerals has better expanding properties and can therefore hold soil in the water better and in a more even way. In wet summers and in winter, ensure water drainage to prevent waterlogging.

This is also a good spot to point out you should mulch everything. Mulch reduces surface runoff and slows evaporation from the soil, saving water. Without mulch, the intense sun bakes the soil — and you end up watering even more.

Rule no. 11: Don’t rely on mother nature

Unless you experience a 3 or 4 hour or more soaking, don’t count rain as a good watering. Most water runs off and isn’t absorbed by the soil if it is shorter (like a typical summer thunderstorm).

HOW OFTEN TO WATER VEGETABLES

A few bonus tips on your vegetable garden too! Veggies need water to produce, so watering the garden correctly is crucial in the hot summer. (Tomatoes are especially unforgiving.) Going from dry to wet and back again creates problems like blossom end rot, and is a spoiler for vegetables and fruits.

Water your vegetables two to three times a week during really hot weather. Watering the garden deeply is important. The water must go down deep to encourage healthy roots.

Also, find an “indicator” plant to help gauge when you need to water. This is the first to wilt as the garden becomes dry. You’ll know when to water when this specific plant has droopy leaves. This is usually squash, cucumber, or melon because the big leaves lose moisture quickly. You should water consistently so that this indication never happens.

As with other plants, summer is the most difficult time for container plant watering. It can be difficult to gauge how much water for container garden plants is necessary however, since there is a fine line between drought and soggy soil for container plants, and either can be detrimental to plant health.

From Ballwin and Manchester, Oakville and Lindbergh, Jefferson County and back again – we are your hometown landscaping experts.

Call us today at (636) 225-3848 or contact us via email at tc@envlandscaping.com today to learn more St. Louis landscaping tips or when it’s time to do something special in your outdoor spaces. Not only do we install trees and plants of all types, we also make walkways and patios, decks and lounge areas, install low voltage outdoor lighting and much more.

We look forward to hearing from you soon,

Tory Catanzaro

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