This Easy-to-Make June Gardening Mistake Could Stop Your Yard From Thriving – Here's What to Do Instead
Don’t take watering for granted this month
Admit it, watering sometimes feels like a chore. You may assume it isn’t that hot, so you don’t need to water, or assume the light rain you had will be enough. However, it is a mistake to take watering for granted this month.
The weather is highly temperamental in June, and the soil can quickly dry out when temperatures rise. It is all too common for plants to go thirsty if the heat is underappreciated or the amount of rain is underestimated, especially if you grow them in containers.
As a professional horticulturist, I have admittedly seen the after-effects of misjudging when to water plants. If I had to recommend one gardening mistake to avoid in June, it is taking your eye off the ball when it comes to watering. Pay special attention in early summer, as things can quickly take a turn for the worse.
Don’t Assume Rainfall Is Always Enough
We’ve all been there before. We’ve looked out of the window, seen some spots of rain, and thought: ‘no need to water’. But is that correct? Consider how much water actually came down, how far it will have soaked in, and whether your plants will be happy with that amount of water.
The facts are that a light sprinkling of rain may only wet the soil surface and not be enough to penetrate down to the roots, where it is needed the most. However, the rain may not even reach the ground.
A canopy of trees and shrubs, together with plants that have large leaves, all stop the water in its tracks. The result can be that only a fraction of the rain reaches the soil, especially if it was only a light, short shower.
The leafy foliage of container plants, in particular, prevents rain from reaching the compost in the pot. Don’t assume that rainfall will water plants in containers; always check for yourself. And don’t just trust your eyes, as wet foliage doesn’t guarantee damp soil.
In addition, plants can be in a rain shadow. If beds, borders, or containers are alongside a building or fence, or under the dense canopy of a tree or shrub, they may not get any water even during heavier rainfall. It can be easy to forget about these plants, which will always get much less water than other areas of the yard.
You can get a rain gauge to measure how much rainfall you have received, such as this outdoor rain gauge at Walmart.
However, don’t rely on it as gospel. Check the moisture levels, especially of container plants or those in a rain shadow. The best way to know if you need to water is to check the soil moisture levels a few inches under the surface.
You can do this with your fingers or with a soil moisture meter, like this soil moisture meter at Amazon.
Don’t Assume Temperatures Mean No Watering Is Required
It may not seem that hot to you, but your plants may see things differently. When the temperatures rise, they will feel it. That is why it’s vitally important in early summer to keep a close eye on your garden and check the moisture levels, even if you don’t think they have reached worrying levels.
The truth is, it only takes a couple of warm, windy days for the soil to dry out to dangerous levels, especially for flowers and vegetables that you recently planted and have shallow root systems. They need moisture in the top few inches and aren’t strong enough to survive long in dry conditions.
All annuals, perennials, shrubs, vegetables, fruit, and herbs can suffer from issues like wilting, blossom drop, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases if the soil is left to dry out.
If any of those plants are growing indoors, such as in a greenhouse, things can be exacerbated. It does not take long at all for the soil to dry when the sun comes out in early summer.
Even if you open the doors to ventilate the greenhouse, the soil can go from moist to bone-dry in a matter of hours. Especially for young plants in seed trays, plug trays, or small pots. It means seedlings can flop quickly and can ultimately die if they are not hydrated.
Make it your mission to keep on top of watering. Check seedlings and plants in greenhouses daily, and plants in container gardens or flower beds every few days.
You can take steps to prevent soil from drying out quickly in beds and borders, including mulching to trap moisture and reduce evaporation, and amending the soil with organic matter to boost the moisture-holding capacity. However, even if you do these, you still need to check during warm periods.
And when you do water plants in hot weather, water deeply and do so early in the morning. Early watering reduces water loss from evaporation, and deep watering encourages a strong root system that helps to protect plants in a heatwave.
Light sprinklings of water result in plants with shallow root systems, and these are more vulnerable when temperatures rise.
Shop Your Yard Watering Kit
This quick-connect, plug-and-play irrigation kit contains 50 feet of tubing and three kinds of drip emitters for different watering needs.
A soaker hose features pores that slowly release water to soak down to the root zone. This one is 25 feet long and made from 65% recycled rubber.
This watering can is weather-resistant and made with solid, galvanized steel to minimize wear. It has a one-gallon capacity and comes with a fine rose attachment.
The best time to water a garden is in the morning, when the temperatures are cool. It gives your plants time to drink in the water, rather than it being lost to evaporation, which is what happens if you water in the heat of the day.
If you can’t water in the morning, evening is the second-best time. The temperatures are also cool, but you do need to be careful and water the base of the plants rather than the foliage.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
