Watering Plants in Summer: How to Keep Your Terrace Garden Thriving
The summer temperature in India can be harsh for all living creatures, including plants. It’s a time when the plants in terrace gardens and balconies exposed to direct sunlight and high heat experience accelerated moisture loss. Unlike traditional ground gardens, watering plants in pots or containers in apartment terraces and balconies presents unique challenges, such as limited soil volume, faster evaporation, and heat retention from surrounding concrete surfaces. Watering garden plants properly is crucial to keep them healthy and vibrant during the scorching summer months. This guide covers the best watering practices, moisture-retention strategies, and vacation-friendly hacks to help your container plants survive the summer heat.
Table of Contents:
- What to Consider
- Best Practices and Tips for Watering Plants in Summer
- How to Help Plants Retain Moisture in Summer
- How to Care for Different Plants in Summer
- How to Water Plants When You Are Away on Vacation
- Tips for Watering Plants During Water Shortages
When Watering Plants in Containers, Consider Unique Needs
It’s essential to remember that not all your container plants require the same amount of water. Understanding the needs of each plant can prevent both dehydration and overwatering.
- For instance, some plants, like leafy greens, flowering plants, and vegetables, require more moisture and frequent watering, whereas succulents and cacti thrive in arid conditions as their leaves store water.
- Potted plants generally dry out faster than plants grown in garden beds, as containers have limited soil volume and lose water more quickly.
- The planter material and type must also be considered. Plastic pots retain moisture better than terracotta. The porous nature of the latter material results in water evaporating quickly. Moreover, water evaporates faster in a pot with a drainage hole.
How Do You Water Plants in Summer: Best Practices & Tips
1. Check soil moisture regularly before watering plants
Overwatering is just as harmful as underwatering. The finger test is the most reliable method to assess soil moisture. Insert your finger or knuckle an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it still feels damp, you can check again after a day.
2. What’s the right time for watering plants?
It’s best to water your plants either early in the morning or late in the evening. Early morning is preferable, as it gives the plants adequate time to absorb moisture before the sun’s heat speeds up evaporation. Avoid midday watering as the direct sunlight causes quick evaporation, leaving the plants thirsty and stressed.
3. What’s the right way to water garden plants in summer
Ideally, you should pour water directly on the soil near the plant base, avoiding the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases. Using a watering can with a slender spout ensures a controlled flow. While filling the bottom tray might seem a good idea for allowing the roots to wick water, it’s best to drain saucers in summer to keep away pests and prevent root rot.
How To Help Terrace Garden Plants Retain Moisture in Summer: Simple Strategies
Mulching
Adding a layer of mulch can create a protective barrier, regulating soil temperature and helping retain moisture in the pot. Preferably use organic mulch options such as wood chips, straw, dried leaves, or coconut husk, spreading a 2-to-3-inch layer around the plant base to prevent moisture loss.
Invest in shade covers
Providing shade can protect your balcony or terrace plants from the scorching sun. You can use shade nets or garden fabric to cover delicate plants. If your terrace or balcony has a glass rail, covering the plants close to the glass will keep them safe from too much sun. For large terraces, consider installing a retractable awning that can be pulled out to offer shade during the hottest hours. Fabric shade sails, bamboo blinds, or garden fabric are alternatives to provide shade temporarily during summer.
Reposition plants
You might also consider repositioning potted plants to shaded areas during the hottest hours. Also, rearrange your plants to keep delicate ones away from direct sun exposure.
Cleaning foliage
Dust on foliage can block sunlight and reduce moisture absorption. Wipe leaves with a damp cotton swab or cloth to remove dirt. Do this at least once a week to boost photosynthesis and hydration.
Repot When Necessary
Plants grow faster in the heat, leading to overcrowded roots that cause quicker soil drying. Monitor your plants to see if they require repotting. Transfer them to a larger container if they become root-bound. Use a well-draining soil mix to balance the moisture levels in the pot.
How to Care for Different Plant Types When Watering the Terrace Garden
Watering Succulents
You don’t need to water succulents frequently. Watering them deeply every one or two weeks is sufficient. Ensure succulents are planted in a pot with well-draining soil and a drainage hole to avoid root rot.
How to Water Flowering Plants
Flowering plants require extra moisture during summer to support blooming. Deep watering will encourage root growth and prevent quick drying. Mist the leaves in the morning to provide humidity and prevent wilting. Mulching will keep the soil cool and slow evaporation so the flowers stay fresh longer.
Vegetable Plants
Vegetables require consistent moisture to thrive, particularly during fruiting. Adding mulch around the base can aid moisture retention. Bottom watering by filling the tray with water is another option, but be sure to add small pebbles to the tray to reduce the chances of attracting insects to stagnant water.
How Do You Water the Plants When You’re Away During the Summer Vacations?
Summer is the time when most families go on vacation, but who will water the plants while you’re away? Don’t worry! You can try one of these self-watering hacks to keep your plants hydrated when you are not at home.
Bottom watering
Bottom watering is a simple option if you’re away for just a day or two. Place pots in a shallow tray of water, allowing for slow absorption.
Water wicking
While bottom watering works fine for a couple of days, you might need to consider water wicking if you’re away for close to a week. Cut a length of cotton string, placing one end on the soil and the other in a water-filled container. The string will wick water from a container into the soil to retain moisture.
Bottle drip method for watering plants
This is an excellent hack that helps repurpose plastic beverage bottles. Make a small hole in the bottle cap before filling the bottle with water. Insert the water-filled bottle upside down in the soil for slow release, drop by drop.
Earthen pot method
This method is ideal for larger containers. It involves burying a small, porous clay pot inside the container and filling it with water. The water from the pot gradually seeps into the soil, providing hydration to the plant.
Drip irrigation system
Drip irrigation is the most hassle-free option if your terrace or balcony has a tap connection. Once set up, you can use it for consistent plant watering throughout the year or only when you are away. Setting up a drip irrigation system with a battery-operated timer offers the convenience of automatically watering plants once or twice a day at a specific time. You can set it up DIY or get professional help.
How to Help Your Terrace Garden Cope with Water Shortages in Summer
Many home gardeners face this challenge when water is scarce and the local authorities restrict water usage for gardening. However, you can get creative and find ways to water your plants to provide them with much-needed moisture. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Collect rainwater for watering plants
Don’t let the summer showers go to waste. Place a few buckets or drums to catch rainwater that you can use later to water the plants.
Reuse greywater
Divert the outlet hose of your washing machine and dishwasher to store rainwater in buckets or drums. Ensure the water is free from harsh chemicals, and filter through a fine mesh to remove solid particles before using it on the plants.
Water drips from air-conditioning units due to condensation. Collect it in a bucket to water the plants.
Mulch heavily
Cover the plant base with a thick mulch layer to prevent rapid evaporation and regulate the soil temperature.
Opt for drought-tolerant plants
Some native plants, hardy perennials, and succulents require less water. When setting up your terrace garden, choose suitable varieties to minimise the use of water.
Watering plants only when necessary
Monitor the soil moisture using the finger test and water only when the soil feels dry.
Deep watering less often
Water the plants deeply but do so less often. Ideally, water gardens in the early morning to ensure the plants have adequate time to absorb moisture before it evaporates.
Use drip irrigation
Whether you install a drip irrigation system or opt for the bottle drip method, it provides moisture to the plants slowly and steadily and reduces water wastage.
Watering plants on your terrace or balcony to keep them thriving in summer requires proper watering techniques, moisture retention strategies, and preventive care. Watching your plants and space will help you figure out the right technique, whether repositioning a plant or providing shade.
We hope these tips will help you keep your plants healthy this summer!
Leave a comment if you found these tips helpful or have queries.
