The easiest way to ensure your plants are well watered whilst you are on holiday is to install and automatic irrigation system which can be used for containers, greenhouse plants as well as beds and borders.  However, if you do not have an outside tap or do not wish to use such as system there are a few handy tips you can use to protect your plants whilst you’re away.

• Water all pots, containers, beds and borders well before you go
• Move containers out of the sun to a shadier, more sheltered location in the garden.  This will protect them from the sun and reduce the rate at which they use water
• Plunge pots into gaps in border soil.  This will keep plants cooler.  As compost dries it will begin to take up moisture from the soil
• Move houseplants out of direct sunlight and water well
• Place an old soaked towel in the bottom of the bath or sink and stand pots on top.  Moisture from the towel will be absorbed as needed
• Use greenhouse shading to protect plants in the greenhouse.  Where appropriate stand plants in shallow trays of water

Soil Matters

The best way of pre-empting a dry summer is to work in as much organic material as possible into your soil. Your soil needs to be healthy and rich to support your plants through difficult times. Incorporate good quality organic matter such as Farmyard Manure and Soil Conditioner to add vital bulk and water retaining properties. This will hold moisture in the soil, improve aeration and enhance drainage. It will also slowly release nutrients to the plants. A healthy soil is alive with micro-organisms and soil creatures that are essential to good plant growth.

Give Your Plants The Best Chance

Prepare your plants for every eventuality. If they have been properly planted and the soil is in good heart then they will be able to quickly establish a good root system to source water. Buy and plant new plants in the autumn if possible, so they can put down a good root system before warmer weather begins.

Remove Weeds

Remove all weeds from the garden but especially in spring: They compete with your plants for water. Use Resolva for persistent perennial weeds, it contains glyphosate that will reach down to the roots of your plants.

Water The Roots

It is better to water once a week really thoroughly than superficially daily. When you’ve watered dig down into the soil to see how far the water has soaked in. You might be surprised how shallow the wet layer is. Continually wetting the top of the soil encourages the roots to grow at the surface and they are then much more prone to damage from scorching sun and winter frost.

Mulch

Mulch to reduce water loss from the soil. It’s vital you apply the mulch in the winter or early spring when the soil is saturated. A mulch will control annual weeds and reduces the need for hoeing.

Lawn Care

If the weather is dry, grass growth will slow, so allow the lawn to rest and if you must cut it simply trim off the top third of growth. During spells of summer drought established lawns may actually turn brown and look dead. Unless your lawn has been recently re-sown from seed or re-turfed, it is very unlikely to be killed by drought and will quickly recover when rain falls. Watering the lawn may create instant visual results but is often unnecessary and can create problems. Unless you can be sure to thoroughly soak a dry lawn it is actually better not to water it at all. A well-prepared lawn that has been properly fed and treated during the spring is better able to withstand and recover from drought. Feed with Westland Aftercut in spring to encourage them to grow new deep roots while there is water available to support this growth.

Rainwater is much better for your plants and your garden than tap water. So it makes perfect sense to collect it and use it to water your plants. Collect rainwater in waterbutts connected to the down pipes from the roof of the house, shed or greenhouse. Divert the water using dedicated water diverters. These are very easy to install and divert all the rainwater straight into your water butt ready for use on the garden. For more help on connecting a waterbutt see our guide on How to connect a waterbutt.

You can keep the water inside the butt clean with a special water treatment available from garden centres.

Water Out of Direct Sunlight

Try not to water plants when the sun is on them, much better to wait until the sun has gone down or do it first thing in the morning. If you water in direct sunlight most the water will quickly evaporate and never reach the roots of your plants.

Use A Dedicated Container Compost

West + Container & Hanging Basket Compost is ideal for use in hanging baskets, troughs and window boxes as well as pots and containers. The special formula retains and releases nutrients and water for longer, providing your plants with all they need. A special water retaining gel has been added to the compost to reduce water loss and the need for frequent watering while a wetting agent has been included to ease the movement of water through the compost during watering. It contains the correct balance of all the other ingredients to nurture your plants as they grow. It’s a sound investment and gets your plants off to a great start.

Use Water Retaing Gel

Add  more Water Retaining Gel, especially for summer containers. This can either be mixed into the compost as you plant, or added later by inserting holes into the compost and dropping a measure of granules into the bottom of them. Westland’s specially formulated Water Retaining Gel has the capacity to hold 400 times its own weight in water. This water is absorbed and released throughout the season, as the plant needs it. After each watering the crystals re-charge absorbing water. This ability to store water reduces water stress in plants and helps retain flowers and fruit in times of hot weather and during rapid plant growth. The contents are sufficient to treat 50-litres of compost.

Use a Mulch

Mulching plants in pots will help prevent evaporation and so help the keep the soil moist. Mulching is best done when the soil is wet. Decorative Mini Bark is ideal for use in small containers and has the added benefit of suppressing weed growth.

Prevent Problems Caused By Overwatering

Drainage is important, especially over the autumn and winter. Use a thick layer of crocks (broken flower pots) or Garden Gravel at the bottom of the container to enhance the drainage. Then raise the container on pot feet so that the drainage holes can empty freely.