As the long cloudless months approach, watering even well established gardens becomes a necessity. There are a few things to keep in mind to help grow strong healthy plants whilst reducing water wastage.

WHEN:

Water heavily, but less often

Once your plants are established, one to two watering sessions per week are usually sufficient. Rather than watering little and often, it is much better to water fewer times a week but with plenty of water; this promotes healthy root growth as the plants search deeper for the last pockets of moisture between waterings. This means that not only do your plants become stronger and more resilient, when a watering is missed you have nice strong plants which can cope with a little stress. 

Water early in the morning

When you water in the early morning less water evaporates than on hot soil during the middle of the day. This way the plants can sufficiently supply themselves with water before the day’s heat kicks in. If you are not able to water first thing, then you could water at the end of the day. However, be aware that watering in the evening does make your plants more susceptible to disease and fungal problems. To minimise the risk, try to water after the strongest heat of the day has passed, but whilst there is still enough time for leaves to dry out, and avoiding the leaves as much as possible.

WHERE

Keep leaves dry to avoid diseases

As mentioned above, wet leaves can become diseased leaves. Kept wet overnight, leaf-mould diseases may result. But conversely, leaves that are made wet in the hot sun can develop burn marks. It is better therefore to aim the water around the soil if you are using a hand held hose to water, or if installing irrigation then see if drip Irrigation or a soaker hose will suit your needs.

Distribute your watering

Continually watering at only one root point leads to one-sided root growth and thus weaker plants from poorer nutrient absorption.  Instead, always water around the plant evenly.

HOW

Irrigation Systems

There are many options for watering your garden, from using a hose or watering can, through to Irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses, micro sprays and sprinklers. It's worth researching the different types to see what will suit your situation the best.

How to use your hose 

If you are watering by hose try to use a lighter setting (such as mist) around smaller or more delicate plants. when using the shower setting invert the hose head so that you are spraying up into the air and the water droplets fall down mimicking rainfall, this is much gentler on your plants. 

Also, when we are watering only once or twice a week, the soil will likely have a dry crust, and the water therefore needs a moment to seep into the soil. To prevent water from flowing away unused, it’s better to water one section then move onto another before coming back to continue watering once the first lot has soaked in.

Mulch

Adding a thick layer of mulch helps to protect the soil surface from the harsh rays of the sun, it also greatly reduces the evaporation of water below. Adding a layer of wet newspaper (6-10 pages thick) between the soil and mulch will also help to suppress weeds (just don’t paper over any seedlings you want to keep of course). Ensure you water thoroughly before mulching, and if you are using fresh woodchips on bare soil it is a good idea to add a nitrogen rich fertiliser such as Blood and Bone as the woodchips will initially draw nitrogen out of the soil as they age (this is a temporary problem and they will of course feed the nitrogen right back into the soil wand then some as they break down).

And the most important rule…. When the inevitable rain day interrupts the summer sun, give yourself the day off, you’ve earned it.

Companion planting is the practice of growing together plants which have been shown to have beneficial effects on one another. These benefits may include: assisting with pest control, encouraging pollination, attracting beneficial creatures, or simply maximizing the available space.

Some beneficial plants can camouflage nearby plants from pest insects either by their shape or by the scents they release. Other beneficial plants can help 'fix' the soil, for example deep rooted plants can help to aerate the soil, whilst members of the Legume family are 'nitrogen fixers' with roots which enable them to convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form used by other plants.

Another way plants can be beneficial to their neighbours is by emitting chemicals from their roots which can act as growth stimulants for other plants. Conversely, some plants can also act negatively to prevent the germination of seeds, so this also needs to be taken into consideration.

The following guide from Palmers is by no means exhaustive but is a pretty handy guide. For a more comprehensive table head on over to https://www.palmers.co.nz/portfolio-posts/companion-planting/

Discourage ants and aphids

Plant penny royal and tansy throughout the garden. Ants farm aphids, by carrying them from plant to plant as they are very fond of the sweet substance which aphids secrete. The pungent smell of penny royal and tansy will also deter ants from coming into the house. Plant large clumps near entrances. Coriander will help keep aphids away from your garden.

Encourage apple trees

Apple trees are more productive and disease resistant if a good number of chives are grown under them.

Encourage apricot trees

Apricot trees benefit from planting basil and tansy nearby.

Encourage asparagus

Asparagus grows particularly well if it is surrounded by parsley.

Handy herb

Basil is one of the most valuable herbs in the garden. Ornamental basil, sweet basil and bush basil are all beneficial. Bees love it and therefore it brings fertility to the whole garden. It also deters aphids, fruit fly and the common house fly.

Encourage cabbages

Cabbages grow better when mint, thyme, sage, rosemary and dill are planted around them. Never grow rue near cabbages.

Encourage your vegetable garden

Borage is rich in organic potassium, calcium and natural minerals. It should always be grown near cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and strawberries.

Encourage celery and carrots

Celery likes to have dill planted nearby. Carrots like chives, sage and coriander planted between their rows.

Discourage birds, mice and slugs

When growing plants from seed, mix dried herbs of any variety to discourage birds, mice and slugs from eating them while they are germinating.

Discourage mosquitoes

Pots of garlic, which can be easily moved around, will repel mosquitoes. Great for when you are entertaining outdoors.

Encourage bees to your garden

Planting lemon balm and lavender will attract bees and improve the growth of all vegetables, especially tomatoes.

Discourage fleas

Discourage fleas by planting fennel near troublesome areas.

Encourage healthy plants

Lovage, marjoram and tarragon planted freely through vegetable and flower gardens will improve the health of all nearby plants.

Discourage insects

Nasturtium helps repel wooly aphid and many other garden insects.

Discourage slugs and snails

Rosemary and rue repel slugs and snails so plant them by your more tender plants.

Encourage roses

Garlic and chives planted near roses help repel aphids and other insects whilst enhancing the fragrance of the rose flowers.

Discourage white fly

Marigolds planted throughout the garden will help discourage whitefly.