How to water your garden the right way: expert tips

Why proper watering matters: 

Plants rely on water to transport nutrients from the soil into their roots. Without steady moisture, even nutrient‑rich soil can’t support strong growth. Proper watering ensures nutrient uptake, cell development, and steady plant growth. Under‑watering leads to wilting, slow growth, and weak stems. Over‑watering suffocates roots and encourages fungal diseases. Balanced watering keeps plants strong enough to resist pests, heat, and environmental stress.

Deep, thorough watering encourages roots to grow downward, creating a stable, drought‑resistant plant. Shallow, frequent watering does the opposite—roots stay near the surface, making plants more vulnerable to heat and dry spells.

Water affects bloom size, fruit production, and flavour. Plants that receive the right amount of water produce bigger flowers, juicier fruits, and more abundant harvests.

Proper watering prevents soil from becoming compacted or waterlogged. Healthy soil structure allows air to reach roots and supports beneficial microbes that help plants thrive.

How often should you water your plants: 

One of the most frequent questions asked by our customers is ‘ How often should I water my plants?’  There is no one answer that fits all as it depends on the plant type, it’s requirements and the soil/growing media conditions.

Watering correctly is the key to growing healthy plants.  We all know that water has become a precious resource here in the UK and are aware of the need to protect the environment including river levels for wildlife as we see the effects of climate change.

Weather has a huge impact on how often—and how deeply—you should water your garden. Plants respond differently to heat, wind, rain, humidity, and seasonal shifts, so adjusting your routine keeps them healthy and stress‑free.

Best times to water your garden: 

Watering is best carried out in the mornings if possible, but it can also be done in the evenings when conditions are cooler.  It is not advisable to water during the heat of the day as this will lead to evaporation from the soil surface.

How much water your plants really need: 

Watering requirements depend on a number of things - as an example, plants in containers or hanging baskets in hot and sunny weather may need watering twice a day.

Other factors to consider are the species, size and the stage of growth of the plant. 

Soil type also plays a part in determining when to water, for instance, clay soils are able to hold more water than sandy soils.  Clay soils can sometimes still feel damp even if plants begin to wilt and sandy soil may feel dry even though there might still be water available to the plants roots.

Plants in pots or anywhere their roots are restricted will require watering more frequently than those in borders where their roots are free to grow to areas where they can find water.  It is worth noting too that plants that are pot bound will also dry out quicker.  (A pot bound plant will have more roots than compost in the pot.)

The rate that plants use water also depends on the weather.  Generally plants require more water during warm summer months than they do in cooler winter periods.  Water more frequently during prolonged dry spells or if it has been windy, which will also dry out plants.  Light showers usually are not enough as the water just evaporates or only reaches the surface of the soil.

Plants require water at the tips of their roots - a dry surface of soil or compost may not necessarily mean that the plant needs water, therefore it is best to push your finger down to knuckle depth instead of just checking the surface.

Indicators that the plants need more frequent watering also include leaves angling downwards or beginning to curl, less growth of foliage or production of flowers or fruit or dull looking leaves or stems.  Wilting can also occur, but this can also be an indication of over watering.  (It is important not to over water as plants do not need to be wet all of the time.)

It is advisable to damp down greenhouses regularly to raise the humidity during hot weather by wetting the floor, overhead watering or misting.  To prevent fungal problems that can be caused by high humidity open vents and doors to improve ventilation.

Efficient watering techniques: 

Plants require water through their roots via the surrounding soil or compost that they are growing in and not the leaves as wet foliage may encourage fungal problems. It is best to water thoroughly to enable it to penetrate down deeply to the root tips and advisable to do so before any drought sets in so that soil moisture levels are kept even.  Deep watering delivers moisture several inches into the soil, encouraging strong, drought‑resistant roots. Water slowly so moisture penetrates the root zone - avoid shallow sprinkling which keeps the rootsw weak and at surface-level.

How much water should be applied: 

This depends on the individual plants requirements (for example, succulent plants require less water than summer bedding plants), how actively it is growing, the type of soil or growing media and weather conditions.   If the soil is sandy or chalk it will require watering more frequently than heaving clay soils, however less water can be applied and any excess will drain away.  Water heavy, clay soils less frequently using a heavier application as they will hold more water.

Containers should be watered slowly - if water drains out of the bottom a saucer can be placed under the pot to catch the water, allowing it to be re-absorbed.  Small containers can be lifted to see if they feel heavy and more water added if necessary.

Choosing the right watering tools: 

Choosing the right watering tools makes a huge difference in how efficiently you water, how healthy your plants become, and how much time and water you save.

Hoses and nozzles:

Choosing the right hose affects everything from water pressure to ease of use. Each type has strengths depending on your garden size and watering style. The right hose saves time, reduces frustration, and ensures consistent water flow to your plants. A good hose and adjustable nozzle give you control over water flow, pressure, and coverage. Adjustable spray nozzles let you switch from gentle misting to deep soaking.

Lightweight hoses are flexible, easy to carry and perfect for small gardens or quick daily watering.

Rubber hoses are heavy‑duty, kink‑resistant, and ideal for high‑pressure watering or large gardens.

Expandable hoses will expand when filled and shrink when empty; great for storage but less durable long‑term.

Soaker hoses are porous hoses that slowly release water along their length, ideal for deep, even watering of beds and borders by seeping water slowly along their entire length, making them ideal for long rows of plants. Soaker hoses provide even moisture distribution along borders and beds. They are easy to hide under mulch for a tidy look.

Drip Irrigation Systems:

A drip irrigation system is one of the most efficient ways to water a garden. It delivers moisture slowly and directly to the root zone, reducing waste, preventing evaporation, and keeping foliage dry. Drip irrigation uses a network of tubes, emitters, and connectors to release water drop‑by‑drop right where plants need it most. It is a highly efficient watering method, using up to 50% less water than sprinklers. Drip irrigation systems are customisable for beds, borders, pots, and vegetable gardens, delivering water directly to the root zone, drop by drop.

Water Timers:

A garden water timer is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your watering setup and one of the most impactful. It saves time, reduces waste, and keeps your plants healthier by delivering water consistently. They ensure your plants receive water at the same time and in the right amount every day. Water timers are easy to install with most attaching directly to your outdoor tap and are compatible with hoses, soakers and drip systems.

Watering cans:

Watering cans are one of the most versatile, precise, and gardener‑friendly tools you can own. They’re perfect for everything from delicate seedlings to patio containers, and they give you a level of control that hoses simply can’t match. A watering can offers gentle, targeted watering—ideal for plants that need care rather than force.

Water butts:

Water butts are one of the smartest, most eco‑friendly additions you can make to your garden. They save money, reduce water waste and give your plants access to soft, chemical‑free rainwater.

A water butt (also called a rain barrel) collects rainwater from your roof via gutters and downpipes. This stored water can then be used for watering plants or topping up ponds.

Rainwater is the first choice as tap water can contain more minerals than some plants need, especially ericaceous types such as Camellias. 

Minimising water use: 

In our changing climate the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) recommend designing our gardens to minimise water use.  Choosing the right plants for the right places is important - if plants are positioned where they are happy to grow such as ferns that enjoy shady areas or Mediterranean plants in full sun, they will thrive.  An inspiring example this is the late Beth Chatto’s Garden in Elmstead. The Chatto family built their new home in 1960 on wasteland that had been part of the Chatto Fruit Farm when Beth’s husband Andrew retired.  Low annual rainfall was one of the challenges they faced, but this did not deter them from transforming the landscape into a series of magnificient gardens that are now a shining example of how to work with nature.  These stunning gardens include a spectacular gravel garden that is famously never irrigated and a newly designed reservoir garden.  You can also enjoy walking through the woodland, water and scree gardens for ideas and inspiration.  Beth Chatto’s was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours in 2002.  She passed away aged 94 in 2018 and a memorial was held at the Garden Museum in London.  Click here to view the Beth Chatto’s Plants website.

Improving soil with organic matter will reduce moisture loss. Add this when planting and in late autumn to late winter apply as a layer of mulch at least 5cm (2in) thick to the soil surface.  You can use well-rotted garden compost, manure or chipped bark to do this and it will reduce water loss from the soil as well as provide frost protection, suppress weeds and improve plants growth by adding nutrients.  Non organic material such as gravel, grit and slate chippings can be used in dry/Mediterranean style gardens to cover the soil surface.

Where possible plant new plants between autumn and spring.  This will allow them to grow roots into the ground before dry weather begins.  If you do plant in dry weather, bear in mind that the plants will require extra water while they establish.

At Poplar Nurseries we also stock a huge range of hose pipes and attachments, sprinklers, seep hoses, automated irrigation systems, water butts and of course, watering cans to make the job of watering your garden as easy as possible. If you require assistance, please do ask a member of our trained staff who will be happy to give help and advice.