Most of us tend to water way too often. Dialling it down a notch will make your plants more resistant during hot summer days. Photo: dpa
There's good news for gardeners who want to save water, and also time and effort: most of us water more than is actually necessary. Most plants even become more resistant to dry spells if watered less frequently.
"It's better to water less often, but properly," says Corinna Holzel from BUND, the German chapter of Friends of the Earth. "If you water a little every day, the plants get used to it and don't develop deep roots."
It's all about the timing
The best time to water the garden is in the morning. Watering at midday is a no-go, as the water evaporates quickly and plants can burn in the heat.
Try to collect rainwater and use that for watering, "to help save tap or groundwater", says Holzel.
A watering can, not a sprinkler
And what about other tools, such as sprinklers? When watering the lawn, a lot of water gets lost and there is a big risk of plants being watered incorrectly. For example, it's not a good idea to water tomatoes from above. A hose or watering can is the better option as the amount of water can be regulated as needed.
If you do decide to use a lawn sprinkler in dry and hot weather, you should switch it on at night when less water evaporates. It's also important to make sure the sprinkler doesn't reach any plants, which will lead to a lot of water evaporating and the leaves getting wet, Holzel explains.
As a rule of thumb, it's better to "water plants at the stem or trunk, for example in the root area where the plant needs the water", which is also the case when using sprinkler systems.
With a drip irrigation system, water gets directly to the roots. A built-in timer is useful for when you're on holiday, ensuring you don't come back to a garden full of brown, dried-up plants.
Planting, but properly
Planting also plays a role when it comes to saving water. In a shrub and flower bed, for example, you should plant so densely that there are few or no free open patches in the soil, which reduces evaporation.
"This also has the positive effect of not having to constantly pull up weeds," Holzel says.
There are many plant species that not only require little water, but also provide food for insects like marigolds. Chicory and daisies can withstand blazing sun and still produce beautiful blooms. Bulbous plants such as leeks also cope well in dry and hot weather.
And another tip that saves water, time and effort – don't mow your lawn as much: Once the grass gets longer, water is stored better and it does not evaporate as quickly. – dpa
