In most parts of England, gardeners are already trudging back and forth with watering cans, trying to keep their pot plants healthy.
Just one weekend away can leave carefully tended tomato plants wilting, and looking sorry for themselves.
Why Pots And Raised Beds Dry Out So Quickly
Pots have a more limited amount of soil, so there's less water reserves to draw on, which means they can dry out surprisingly quickly, especially during warm spells, or when its windy.
Raised beds often have excellent drainage, which is great in the early spring, but can cause problems come summer.
1. Mulch your soil
A lot of the water is lost through evaporation, so covering bare soil is an easy way to protect from this. Evaporation can be worse in warm and windy conditions.
Commonly used mulches include
- Bark Chips
- Compost
- Straw
These can make quite a difference during a hot summer.
2. Give your Plants a big drink, rather than a little splash
Many gardeners water plants every day which can lead to shallow root growth, whcih in turn reduces plants' resilience in dry weather.
You could try giving them a lot of water each time but less frequently, this can encourage deeper root growth and lead to longer term stronger plants.
3. Timing is everything
Watering in the heat of the day means that some of the water evaporates before it reaches the plant, watering in the evening can encourage slugs.
Early morning, before the heat gets up, is often the most effective time to water; less is lost to evaporation, and the plants can use the water through the day.
4. Improve Your Soil's Water-Holding Capacity
Some soils simply struggle to retain moisture.
Sandy soils in particular can drain very quickly.
Improving your soil structure can help it hold onto water for longer while still allowing roots to breathe.
This is where sheep wool pellets can be particularly useful.
Wool fibres can hold up to ten times their weight in water, slowly releasing moisture back into the soil as plants need it.
Used in pots, containers and raised beds, they can help improve water retention and reduce how often you need to reach for the watering can.
As an added bonus, they also break down naturally over time, helping improve soil structure and adding nutrients back into the soil.
5. Choose The Right Plants
If you're constantly battling dry soil, it may be worth considering plants that naturally cope well with less frequent watering.
Mediterranean herbs such as:
- rosemary
- thyme
- sage
- lavender
often perform brilliantly in sunny conditions.
That doesn't mean you can't grow thirsty crops like tomatoes or cucumbers, but they may need a little extra attention during hot weather.
6. Group Containers Together
A simple trick many gardeners overlook.
Pots standing on their own are exposed to sun and wind from every direction.
Grouping containers together creates a slightly more sheltered environment and can help reduce moisture loss.
During Heatwaves
British summers are getting warmer and dryer, especially in the south. During particularly warm spells:
- check pots daily
- use mulch generously
- water deeply
- avoid watering during the hottest part of the day
Small adjustments can make a big difference.
A More Sustainable Way To Garden
Reducing how much water your garden needs isn't just convenient. It's also a more sustainable way to garden.
By improving your soil's ability to retain moisture, you'll spend less time watering, use less water overall, and create healthier growing conditions for your plants.
Final Thoughts
While no soil can stay damp forever, there are plenty of ways to help moisture stick around for longer.
A combination of good watering habits, mulching and improving soil structure can significantly reduce how often you need to water pots and raised beds.
It can help you spend less time carrying watering cans and more time enjoying the garden.