Watering Your Plants During Summer: What You Should Know
•Posted on May 12 2021
During the hot summer months, your plant babies will need more water to quench their thirst. Exactly how much water is the million-dollar question. Even in the hottest months, it is possible to over water but you definitely want to make sure you’re not allowing them to sit in dry soil. When caring for your outdoor and indoor plants during the summer season here are some rules of thumb you should know.
Outdoor plants
The best time to water your plants is in the mornings before the heat strikes. This time of the day is usually when the soil is cool enough to allow the water to seep into the soil and down to the roots. By taking the time to water your plants in the morning, you’ll ensure that they have enough moisture throughout the day to keep hydrating from the beating sun. If watering in the morning doesn’t seem like the best time because you’ve got work, school, or other things going on, evenings work well too. Once the soil has cooled from the day, go ahead and water your plants so that they can soak up all of the water they’ll need for the following day.
Outdoor potted plants
When watering your outdoor potted plants you should be aware that they may need a couple of watering sessions a day. Potted plants tend to dry out more than plants in an inground plot. Generally, the smaller the pot, the more they dry out. Because of this, you should make time to water them in the morning. If you’re worried that your potted babies may not be getting enough or are afraid to overwater, you could always stick a plant thermometer in. If the temperature is at 90 or above, you should give them another watering in the evening.
When watering your pots, don’t use a hose with a spray nozzle. These nozzles usually have the type of pressure that damage and harm plants. It can also mess up the soil around your plants.
Indoor potted plants
During the summer months, the temperature in your home can rise, especially if you prefer to leave the windows open while you’re out instead of the air conditioner. To make sure your plants are getting enough moisture for the day, invest in a soil moisture gauge that can be inserted into the soil. This will ensure that your plants are getting the proper amount of water no matter the temperature. Use this as your guide instead of a watering schedule.
When watering, you should wait before you dump the excess water in the tray. For example, if using indoor terracotta plant pots that come with a saucer, don’t let the water sit for too long in the saucer after watering. Allow the soil to reabsorb what it needs by waiting 30 minutes, then dump the excess water into the sink.
Since summer is the season packed with vacations, you may worry about your plants while you’re away. If you cannot have someone stop by to water your plants, you can try wicking. Wicking is basically using a cotton rope when you place one end in a jar of water and the other end into your plants’ soil so that your plant is basically watering itself while you’re away.
Because every plant has its own needs, you’ll want to make sure you research the type of plant you’re caring for to know a little bit more about their needs, temperament, and how-to tricks for their type.
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