It’s hot—to me, to you and to our plants.

As we move into the dog days of summer, watering becomes more crucial than ever.

While we all know our plants need water, knowing when and how much to water are less intuitive.

A plant in distress

When you notice an unhappy plant in your garden—the first thing you should assess is the watering situation.

A wilting plant and yellowing leaves can indicate either overwatering or underwatering, But there are a few other characteristics you can look for to figure out the problem.

Underwatered

Look for browning, crispy leaves. They’ll likely feel dry to the touch. The plant may start splitting down the middle, with leaves or branches falling to the left or right.

If these attributes are paired with dry soil (stick your finger about an inch down to tell), your plant may be underwatered.

To remedy, water the plant deeply.

Over-watered

If your plant is wilting and the soil at its base is moist, it may be over-watered. Too much water can also cause leaves, buds or flowers to become soft and mushy.

Sometimes, the soil will be holding so much water that you’ll notice an abundance of moisture-loving insects like pill bugs (also called potato bugs or roly-polies!).

To remedy, hold off on watering until the soil dries and the plant seems to perk up. If the plant is in a pot, you can lift it and place it in a new pot with dry dirt.

Every plant’s unique

Each plant has unique water requirements. Factors like plant type, size, and environmental conditions determine the amount of water your plants need.

Before planting anything, start by looking into its watering requirements. Some plants, like hydrangeas or petunias, need constant moisture.

On the flip side, plants like lavender or roses, prefer dry conditions and will protest (or worse, become susceptible to insects or disease) if they’re watered too much.

Potted plants need extra water

Regardless of the plant type, anything growing in a pot will require more frequent watering than something growing in the ground.

In the heat of the summer, especially during dry spells, I usually water my pots once a day.

Timing is everything

Did you know the time of day makes a huge difference when watering?

It's best to water in the early morning, as this allows ample time for the plants to absorb the moisture before the heat of the day sets in.

Watering in the evening is okay when the nights are cool. If the nights are warm, however, your plants may become susceptible to mold or mildew (the inevitable conclusion of water + warmth + darkness).

Avoid watering during the hottest hours of the afternoon, as the water will evaporate faster, meaning less of it gets to your plant.

Water deeply

Consistency is key when it comes to watering your outdoor plants.

Instead of shallow, frequent watering, it's always better to water deeply and less frequently (though, as mentioned, frequency will be dependent on the plant).

This is a common mistake with new gardeners. Shallow watering means very little, if any, water will reach the deeply-planted roots of your plants. Using a watering can helps to ensure a more concentrated, deeper watering.

Avoid the leaves

It’s important to water on the base of the plants, avoiding wetting the foliage as much as possible.

Wet leaves can create a favorable environment for diseases and insects to thrive.

If you need to water from above, use a gentle spray or a watering wand to mimic a natural rain. But, especially for roses, do your best to hold the hose under the foliage.

New plants need water

Learn from a mistake I made too many times: your new plants need water.

When planting drought-tolerant perennials, I’ve sometimes held off on watering. I didn’t want to overwater, after all.

But any new perennial—even dry-loving flowers like roses and lavender—need regular water until they’re established (after their first winter, they are usually considered established).

🌸 Flower I’m admiring

My Forget-me-nots are in bloom, and I am astounded at how many pollinators they attract! The bees are constantly buzzing around the blooms, no less than 5 on the plant at any given time.

It’s worth noting these true blue flowers typically bloom in the spring. I started my seeds a little late this year, however—so here we are!

🍄 What I’m inspired by

An opera for plants.

Back in 2020, after months of being closed due to Covid, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu re-opened with a string quartet performance of Giacomo Puccini's "Crisantemi,” played to an audience of 2,292 plants.

📺 Movie I’m watching

Lord of the Rings, which I watch at least once a year.

Everything about LOTR makes my heart ache with a tender mixture of fondness and enchantment, but this particular excerpt from the Fellowship of the Rings (extended edition 🤓) has been lingering in my mind.

How are your plants faring in the July heat? Any unhappy plants that you need help with? Reply and let me know!

xx,

Courtney