Gardening: How to create a watering tool for your plants
Summer is here which means there is an increased demand for watering to keep gardens hydrated and promote flower and plant growth.
This tends to be quite time-consuming – especially for those with larger gardens – and can feel like a chore, meaning gardeners have less time to enjoy their gardens and the hard work they’ve done throughout the year.
One way gardeners can ensure their gardens remain well-watered during hot weather is to invest in an automatic watering system.
Hozelock’s international marketing manager, Richard Ferguson, has shared exclusively with Express.co.uk the four key benefits of automatic watering.
Reduction of weeds
While it may sound counterintuitive, automatic water actually directs water exactly where it needs to be which can help to reduce weeds.
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Weeds appear when there’s excess moisture and gaps between plants so when plants receive the right amount of water, this encourages new growth “minimising the growth of the weeds in the gaps” as there’s better plant coverage.
Take away the worry
During the summer months, most people are hitting the beach or away on holiday which means gardens can end up being neglected.
Mr Ferguson said this is one of the benefits of automatic watering, it alleviates the “stress” of watering if you are away without having to rely on family, friends and neighbours.
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The perfect amount of water
Mr Ferguson said: “One of the most common ways to kill a plant is by not providing the correct watering level, which includes under and overwatering, as this can cause many problems and make them prone to disease.
“By ensuring that the plants have the correct amount of water, they will grow stronger and appear more vibrant.”
Efficient watering techniques
One of the most important things when it comes to watering is not about quantity but more about quality.
Automatic watering systems have more control and can deliver water directly to where it needs to be right at the soil level rather than on the plant’s leaves and flowers.
The gardening expert added: “By doing this, the roots can absorb the water from beneath the soil, which tends to be more effective than watering from above as there is less evaporation from the sun, reducing water wastage as well as leaf scorch.”
Types of automatic watering systems include soaker hoses, sprinklers and drip lines which can be attached to a timer. Alternatively, people can make their own DIY watering systems.
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