Water is essential for plant nourishment. It allows the roots to absorb all the nutrients they need to survive, but knowing how to water carefully is an art that is acquired through experience and observation. So if you are a beginner, here are some valuable tips to help you take care of your green space:
- First of all, there is no fixed rule for watering: each plant has its own rhythms which must be learned and respected. Also read: Aloe: the plant with a thousand uses
- Potted plants definitely need to be watered much more often, especially during the summer when the sun is more aggressive and temperatures are higher. During the summer it is also important to remember not to water during the hottest hours of the day and the intervals between one watering and another should be rather short.
- On the other hand, during the winter several days may be allowed to pass and you should avoid wetting the earth in the evening, especially if night frosts are expected.
Contrary to popular belief, it is important to remember that plants should never be given cold water, not even in summer! For them, the best relief against the warmer temperatures is to just keep continually receiving room temperature water, in order to prevent thermal shocks. - Be patient when you water plants: the water has to penetrate deeply, getting down to the roots, so don’t water too fast, or else you might remove the earth from the roots which are higher up causing unnecessary stress.
- After you have finished watering, always check your saucers: stagnant water can cause damage to the roots, causing them to rot, as well as attracting unwanted insects, such as larvae and mosquitoes. Remember to empty them from time to time, especially after periods of heavy rain.
- For ideal plant conditions, it is advisable to use soil with a high peat content, which allows for greater moisture accumulation.
Enjoy the experience of feeding your plants: small spontaneous moments in touch with nature teach us how to live in the present and forget the freneti rush of the chaotic world.
