May 20, 2024, 3:31 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Almost every summer, there are extended dry spells. However, this doesn’t mean that garden owners need to water frequently. Sometimes, less is actually more.
If it hasn’t rained for a while and you’re considering watering the garden, it’s important to follow one key rule. The amount of water is more important than the frequency. This is highlighted by the German Nature Conservation Association (Nabu).
Why Less Is More When Watering the Garden
It’s better to water the soil thoroughly once rather than giving it a little water frequently. This allows the water to penetrate deeper into the soil layers. If you water briefly but often, the deeper soil layers won’t receive enough water. Additionally, according to Nabu, plants will only develop short roots in this case. If you water them less frequently but more intensively, the roots will grow longer over time. This way, they can reach deeper soil layers that dry out less quickly.
You Should Hoe the Bed After Watering
In general, ornamental gardens and trees are best watered only during the planting season or to bridge dry periods, according to the magazine “test” (Issue 04/2024). Otherwise, they should be able to rely on rainfall and groundwater. However, there is an exception: the vegetable bed. It needs regular watering in the summer.
Annette Bucher from the Weihenstephan Institute for Horticulture recommends in “test” a rule of thumb for the bed: 10 to 20 liters per square meter every three to four days, spread over half an hour.
A tip from Nabu: To minimize water loss, you should hoe all beds superficially after watering. This breaks the capillaries in the soil. They channel water from deeper soil layers to the surface, where it then evaporates. By interrupting this mechanism, water is retained in the soil.
It’s also sensible to cover bare spots in the bed with straw, grass clippings, or leaves. This protects the areas underneath from drying out, according to “test.” Between shrubs, you can also plant ground-covering plants like barrenwort (Epimedium) or bearberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri). Not only is the frequency of watering a common mistake in the garden, here you can read about other common mistakes.
With material from dpa