Watering Guide for Gardeners

We recently asked Ádám Serdült, the head of the botanical and horticultural department at our Zoo, for advice on how home gardeners should water their plants during these hot and dry days. Indeed, during periods of intense heat and dry, rainless days, this becomes an extremely important issue. Here’s what he suggested:

The most important factor is paying attention to your garden soil. Don’t disrupt its natural state, and be happy if it’s full of biodiversity, like worms and moles. When creating a new garden, avoid bringing in outside soil, as it will never match your natural soil type. Leave organic matter to decompose in place whenever possible. This will help the soil retain water more effectively.

After planting, water in large amounts but less frequently to encourage deeper root growth. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, which promotes shallow roots. Mulch the soil or plant in layers to help retain moisture. Once you prevent wastage this way, effective watering becomes easy.

Always water when the soil has dried out. Don’t just examine the surface—check the root zone as well. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. In drought conditions, water in the evening, and in cooler, misty weather, water in the morning to avoid fungal diseases caused by overnight humidity. While it’s a myth that water droplets act as prisms and burn plant leaves in the sun, watering during the day can result in excessive evaporation.

If you have plants from a wet continental climate, mist them frequently, as atmospheric drought can be just as stressful for them as a lack of soil moisture. However, with climate change in mind, avoid planting species from West European nurseries accustomed to more luxurious climates. Instead, adapt to climate change by selecting plants that are ecologically suitable and buying ones that are already acclimatized to local conditions.

At the Zoo, we prefer hand-watering, as it allows us to form a personal connection with the plants and spot any issues early on. However, automation is more efficient. Try to collect rainwater and stick to the rule of watering less frequently but more thoroughly. It’s important to keep up with new trends, such as the “No Mow May” initiative, and many trends now align with scientific knowledge.