How to Water Plants in June So They Keep Blooming Through the Hottest Days of Summer
Find out when and how to water plants in June
If your garden plants are struggling and less than impressive, then it's likely time to look at your watering regime. June is a month when it's so very easy to let watering slip, as the weather is usually fairly clement, with sunshine and showers plentiful. But that could be where you're going wrong.
As luck would have it, in the majority of sad midsummer garden situations, genning up on the problem and tweaking your care routine is all that's needed. I'm going to guide you through the reality of summer rainfall and when to water a garden, and point you in the direction of a thriving June backyard without the need for too much fuss.
Understanding your watering regime will support healthy growth, pest and disease resistance and, ultimately, a flourishing, colorful backyard right through the driest months of the year.
Know Your Weather
June weather in Northern US and cooler zones can seem ideal. The days are long, the soil is warm and the sun is hot but not scorching. Showers can be abundant. It's the time for growth and profusion in the backyard.
In Southern US and hot zones, the heat is already intense, with much less rainfall, so it's easier to realise that it's time to be vigilant with watering.
But in most areas, it's more than likely you're not watering enough and face the facts on how to water plants.
A half-hour shower every few days may barely affect the deeper moisture levels of the soil. Air temperatures are high, which means that rainfall will soon evaporate. Sunshine with a brisk breeze is a killer combo for plants, adding to water lost through evaporation.
Then factor in that this is the main growth period for all your garden plants, meaning they need more water than usual, and you'll soon understand why watering – and watering well – must be your top priority in June.
Be Wise To Your Backyard's Driest Areas
There are a handful of places in your backyard that suffer most from lack of water in summer, and indeed all year round. Some of these may surprise you.
First up, pots and planters. If you're guilty of skipping watering for a few days after a rain shower, don't be surprised when the glory of your carefully curated collection begin to fade.
Above each pot of geraniums, hostas or petunias is a dense canopy of leaves that acts just like an umbrella over your plants, directing water away from them and on to the patio around them. For proof, poke a finger into the soil and chances are it's dry as a bone, even after rain.
Ever heard of 'rain shadow'? This is the name for the dry areas created at the food of walls, fences and outbuildings, which can block rainfall by as much as 75 per cent in the zone up to 3ft (1m) from the barrier. That's a significant problem. If you've got containers placed near barriers or sheds, then that's double the risk to lack of rainwater.
A brilliant addition to an outbuilding such as a shed (and of course to any downpipe coming from the roof of your house) is a rain barrel or rain chain. You can find a verdigris copper rain chain at Amazon.
The earlier you instal one, the sooner you'll be able to harvest free rainwater for your cherished plants. It's a brilliant way to reduce water waste in your yard.
The canopies of trees and shrubs also create similar issues, while their roots can also extend far into lawns and flowerbeds where they quickly drain moisture from the soil, depriving other plants around them.
The final place where you need to pay extra attention is when you're gardening on slopes and banks, where rainwater naturally drains away more quickly.
You can shop rain barrels at Ace Hardware.
Take Care Of New Plants
We all know that when your sparkling new arrivals get home from the garden centre, they need to be planted and watered in well. That's the part most of us gardeners remember.
But what about the next few weeks and months? To thrive, those purchases need to put down new roots deep into the soil, where they can access available water. To do that, they need the encouragement of moist earth that goes down well beyond their original planting depth.
This means watering deeply and thoroughly throughout their first growing season, into fall (stopping watering is one of the biggest fall gardening mistakes) and often winter too, especially if the weather is on the dry side for that time of year.
Spotting The Signs of Lack Of Water
The most obvious signs that your plants need more water are drooping or wilting leaves, foliage that's turned yellow, brown or showing crisped edges, or even shedding of leaves, which plants can resort to in times of water stress.
Some plants, like hydrangeas and newly planted veg seedlings, are more susceptible than others.
But there are signs that are less immediately evident too. Plants that have become infested with pests or prone to disease are likely to be under stress, and that can often be from lack of water. I
n fact, watering correctly is one of the best natural pest control methods. So fix the water issue and you may well get rid of the disease and/or pests that are troubling your plants.
Watering Plants Well In June
The first mistake gardeners often make when watering is to use a watering can with a rose attachment. In summer especially, this will sprinkle water generously on the foliage of your plants only for it to evaporate in the heat of the day, as well as encourage mold and mildew.
Very little will reach the plants' roots, where it is needed. So keep the rose for small seedlings only, which could be damaged by stronger jets of water. It's a good idea to invest in a watering can such as this long-spout 2-gallon design with detachable shower head from Home Depot.
The same applies when using a hose. Use a jet rather than spray setting. And, hose or watering can, direct the flow right at the base of each plant, and hold it there for much longer than you think is needed. You want to see a nice puddle of water around each plant. Deep and long are the two words to remember when watering plants in June.
There are some brilliant hose designs available these days – take a look at this selection at Lowes. There are plenty of ways to disguise a garden hose too, so watering well needn't make your outdoor space less attractive.
The time of day that you water is hugely important. The best time to water your garden is in the morning, before the heat of the day, and when leaves have a chance to dry out. Second best is in the evening. Water during the day and you'll lose a lot of water through evaporation.
For even greater efficiency, group containers together and use an irrigation kit like one of these from Lowes, set on a timer to keep pots from drying out.
You can also shop irrigation timers at Lowes.
Timing and generosity are the keys to watering plants in June. And just a little bit of knowledge of which plants and where can suffer the most stress from lack of water. Get these right and your backyard will flourish in midsummer and beyond.
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