How much water do you give to the kitchen garden?

Do plants really need as much water as we think they do? During dry and hot summers, we have to think twice before reaching for the watering can or hose.

When to water?

Water preferably early in the morning (before 6 am) or late in the evening (after 10 pm). Then the sun is not involved and the soil has cooled down sufficiently. This way you avoid sunburn on the leaves. A large part of the water is lost through evaporation when the soil is very warm, and water is already so scarce during a heat wave, so that is a waste! In general, plants can take a bit. You only need to worry when their leaves start drooping and wilting. Then it's time to quench their thirst.

How much watering?

When planting, it is important to give a lot of water. Especially with plants that go into the ground with bare roots (do you want more information about the difference between plants with bare roots, (wire) balled or in a pot? (Click here). Before you start planting, it is best to put the bare-root plants in a bucket of water for 15 minutes. This will allow their roots to absorb the water. Do you buy the plants in cubes or in pots? Then it is better to put them under water for 15 minutes as well. Meanwhile you can also add water to the plant hole.

After the initial period, give the plant less and less water so that it can root deeply and get its water supply from the soil. This is how you grow a strong plant.

If you don't do this, and you are using the sprinkler every day? Then you will get a lazy plant which you will have to water every day. The roots of this plant remain on the surface and do not draw water from deep underground. Consequence: at the first sign of drought, these plants will start to droop. They can also start rotting just above the ground. So, too much water is definitely not good! The amount of water you should give depends on the soil and location.

1. Plants in full ground

In general, plants in the open ground do not need to be watered. Only in very warm weather is it advisable to water them twice a week. Watering every day is out of the question!

Make a number of holes around the herb and vegetable garden plants and pour water into them to keep them well moist. Of course, the water requirement differs from plant to plant. Tomatoes, for instance, can look for water very deep in the ground and quench their thirst themselves. Leeks, on the other hand, like a daily footbath at planting time. Tip: Do not plug up the leek planting hole with soil, but fill it with water. After a while, it will silt up on its own, and in the meantime you can easily water the plant all the way to the root. An additional advantage: this way you also give the larvae of the leek moth no chance because they will drown.

Sandy soil

With sandy soil, it is better to tackle the structure of your soil. This is best done by adding a combination of compost and Bentonite to the soil. Bentonite is a clay material that occurs naturally in the soil. It makes the soil heavier and the clay granules retain more moisture. Use about 10kg per 100m². You can also add Terracottem (read more about this at Plants in pots).

Clay soil

Clay soil has another phenomenon. It can become completely compacted, forming a rock-hard layer. Pure clay soil is best avoided in the vegetable garden. Here you can add a combination of compost and Perlite to improve the soil. Read here what the difference is between potting soil and soil improver.
Perlite is a volcanic rock that makes the soil airier. You probably know this product in the form of small, white balls in the better potting soil. An additional and very welcome advantage: this natural stone also ensures that water is retained better.

Tip from Marcel

Scatter some cocoa shells between the plants in the garden. They retain moisture well, and help against weeds.
Plants placed on a terrace attract the heat from the tiles. Put some block oasis at the bottom of the pots. These will store the water for dry times. Place the pots in the shade as well, because they have a hard enough time as it is on the warm terrace
Do not add extra fertiliser to your plants during extreme heat. This will prevent your plants from absorbing the water properly.
Do you have a large vegetable garden in flat sunshine, and do you regularly suffer from plants that dry out? Then consider placing a shade net over your entire vegetable garden. You can easily do this yourself, and it offers protection from wind and sun (+/-50% reduction).

2. Plants in the greenhouse

Do you have a conservatory in the garden? Then you'd better leave the windows and doors wide open because it can get swelteringly hot. Do not close the conservatory at night either, so that you create good air circulation. To ensure extra cooling, you can cover the conservatory with shade cloths or place reed mats on the roof. This will quickly make a difference of a few degrees.

Do not over-water here either! Make the plants used to looking for water in the ground, not on the surface. Even at temperatures of 30°C, we recommend NOT watering on a daily basis, but at most only 2 to 3 times a week.

3. Plants in pots

<Ornamental plants and herbs in pots dry out more quickly. They have a smaller root ball which heats up quickly and dries out. High-quality (brand-name) potting soil certainly proves its worth here. It contains the necessary nutrients and will absorb the water better than a cheap variant, where the water simply seeps through. Do the test yourself! Pour 1 litre of water through a cheap and through an expensive potting soil, and see how much seeps through. The difference is sometimes hallucinatory, and if no water is absorbed, the plant obviously cannot grow either. You can also add extra Perlite to pot plants because of its water-absorbing capacity.

A second important point is to provide pots that are big enough. Herbs bought in 13 cm pots can be kept for a fortnight in their small plastic pots, but after that they will die because the roots do not have enough room and food. The herbs you buy in the supermarket are usually packed in pots of only 8cm. These can be kept even shorter in such temperatures. Moreover, they are only suitable for consumption, not for growing. Plant vegetables and herbs in pots that are as large as possible, or a herb tray that is at least 30 cm deep. This way the plants have enough soil to keep the water capacity high, and to prevent them from drying out. Make sure that there are holes in the bottom of the pots so that excess water can drain away, and mould has no chance.

Do your plants regularly suffer from symptoms of dehydration or do you forget to water yourself from time to time? Then you can add Terracotta to your plants. This is a well-known and high-quality soil improver that ensures a good nutritional supply and stimulates growth, resulting in strong flowers and plants. But perhaps its water-saving power is its strongest point. Terracottem stores water and nutrients for up to 8 years. It thus protects the plant against an impending water shortage and irregular watering. By using this soil improver, the plant needs up to 50% less water. This is ideal during dry summer months, and will also save on your water bill.

Do your plants really need some water? Then give them rainwater instead of tap water. Tap water contains chlorine and lime, which your plants don't like. Don't forget to take extra care of your houseplants in these tropical temperatures. Not only the soil in the garden dries up, but also the temperatures in the house can easily rise.

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