Soak, don't sprinkle

Make sure crops and ornamentals are well watered, as Bob explains how to perfect those liquid refreshments

- Bob Flowerdew

UNLESS we garden in the wetter western regions of Britain, we seldom get enough rain when we need it, or far too much. Still, most years, most of us water some of our plants and, of course, those in containers are watered almost non-stop.

It’s hard to over-water plants during the summer. Plants are making such strong growth that their demand for water is immense. Most consume at least the equivalent of 1in (2.5cm) of rain each week. With a watering can or hose, we can try to add whatever brings the week’s rainfall up to that. And for the thirstiest – such as sweetcorn, beans, salads, raspberries and many others – more is still not enough.

Tomatoes and sweet peas are so thirsty that they even grow with their pots standing in trays half-full of water, which is something that injures many other plants.