Bringing life, vibrancy, and personality to your garden should be simple. You’ve already lined up your garden borders and planted them in the perfect position; next, you’ll need to make sure they’re well looked after to maintain their beauty.
In this guide, Garden on a Roll will walk you through how to water your plants without drowning them or leaving them thirsty. We’ll clear up any confusion about how much and how often to water plants, so take a look at our complete guide today.
How Often Should You Water Outdoor Plants
How often your borders need watering can vary with the season, weather, and how long they’ve been in the ground. During the warmer summer months, we recommend watering your plants daily.
During dry, cool periods, however, plants may only need watering every three to five days – unless the rain gets there first, of course. The UK weather means that, for the colder, damper periods of the year, your plants may not require routine watering at all.
If you’re unsure just how thirsty your borders are, it’s time for the finger test. Push your index finger into the soil up to the second knuckle and feel for moisture. If it’s dry, water your plants. If it’s moist, wait.
Handy Tips for a Successful Feed
Worry not. Keeping your plants well fed and your garden thriving is easier than it sounds. But there are a handful of golden rules worth keeping in mind to keep those roots nourished.
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Timing is key: You wouldn’t want your breakfast bowl served to you at dinnertime. Timing ‘meals’ right is just as important for plants. We recommend watering your plants either early in the morning or late in the evening. This prevents evaporation and lets your plants enjoy every last drop of their soak.
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Let’s get deep: A light sprinkle across the soil surface encourages shallow roots, which are prone to drying out quickly. Deeper watering forces the roots to grow deeper into the soil, creating stronger, healthier foundations for your borders.
How Much Water Do Plants Need?
We’ve covered frequency; now let’s talk amount. We’ve put together a handy table to talk newcomer gardeners through caring for their brand new borders. Take a look below.
|
Plant Growth Stage |
Water Amount |
Frequency |
|
Newly Planted (1-3 weeks) |
Thorough soaking directly at the base of plants to keep soil consistently moist. (5-10 litres per square metre.) |
Daily, especially in warmer periods, to help plants transition into the garden bed. |
|
Establishing (4-8 weeks) |
Prioritise deeper watering sessions to encourage roots to grow downward to access moisture. (10-15 litres per square metre.) |
One to two times per week. If there is a hot spell, three to four. Avoid light sprinkles; ensure that every watering session is deep. |
|
Established |
At this stage, watering will only be required during hotter periods. (10-15 litres per square metre.) |
Only water during dry spells. |
Discover Borders Suitable for Your Garden
Now that you know just how low-maintenance our garden borders are to look after, it’s time to find the perfect fit for your home’s aesthetic. What sort of mood are you looking to create in your garden? Are you hoping to breathe light into your space with colour? Or are you drawn to the classic charm of a cottage garden border?
Our plant-by-numbers borders are designed to complement a whole range of gardens, both aesthetically and practically. Find shady border plants, for example, amongst plants for sunny borders, and embrace hassle-free gardening with all the rewards.
Shop Garden on a Roll’s Borders Today
Hopefully we’ve provided you with a better understanding of how often you should water plants. Let's get your borders in the ground so you can put everything you’ve learned into good practice, shall we? Explore our collection of garden borders, plant bundles, and garden maintenance tools today.
If you have any questions about our products or even how often you should water your plants, don’t hesitate to get in touch.