With the change of seasonknowing how to irrigate correctly becomes essential to maintain plants in health and use less water. A question of balance, observation and some practical make -up that really changes the rules of the game.
When the temperature begins to go down or climb sharply, something changes in the garden. Plants slow down or awaken, the rhythms move. But often, out of habit or distraction, the watering can continue to use as if it were July. The risk? Exaggerate or neglect. Better to take a break and really look at what happens under the feet.
Controlling the ground can save more water than you think. Putting a finger in the earth is not a gesture of beginners, but by attentive observers. The surface can be dry, yes, but a few centimeters are enough lower to find surprising humidity. The leaves also tell a lot, if you learn to listen to them. Here, this is precisely the point: more than irrigating, you need understand When it really makes sense to do it.
Seasonal irrigation: adapting is the real secret
With the arrival of autumn or the beginning of spring, the water needs of the plants changes. But it’s not just a matter of cold or hot. Even the light of the sun, the humidity of the air and the wind influence the behavior of the soil and, therefore, the need to irrigate. When the days are shortened, theevaporation slows down. This means that the soil holds the humidity longer. Continue to wet with the same frequency of summer often leads to excesses, with roots that rot or plants that begin to suffer. On the contrary, in early spring, the ground awakens but is not yet ready for massive irrigation. That’s why you need a certain sensitivity in reading the signals: less turgid leaves, compact ground, turned off colors. They are small clues not to be underestimated.
Another common mistake? Be fooled by the dry surface. In depth the soil can still be humid. Better to check, perhaps with a scoop, before wasting water. In addition, each soil has a personality of their own. The sandy one, for example, lets the water slip away quickly. The clayey one, on the other hand, tends to hold it longer. It is not only a matter of quantity, but of come The water is absorbed. And this difference, often underestimated, has a direct impact on the whole garden.
Change of season: 3 golden rules to keep in mind
There are three simple principles which help to better manage irrigation during the season change. After all, gardening works a bit like a dance: you have to learn to follow the rhythm. There is no need to overdo it, but not even ignore the signals. Just find that balance that allows each plant to grow serene, without stress and without waste.
They are not magical formulas, but good habits that almost always work:
- Check the weather forecast: If rain is expected, it makes no sense to anticipate it with tap water.
- Irrigate only early in the morning: It is the ideal time to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of mushrooms.
- Decrease the frequency gradually: The passage must be done in small steps, never brusquely.
Those who own an automatic system should review the times at least every 2-3 weeks. Setting it in May and forgetting it until October is a classic error to avoid. Better to set up a reminder, even simple, so as not to risk irrigation out of season.
And then there are the leaves, real allies in the diagnosis. If they begin to yellow or seem off despite the watering, the problem could be really excess water. A paradox, but very common.
Because the real rule of gold to irrigate is to observe
There is often talk of universal rules for gardening, but the truth is that There is no valid formula for everyone. Each garden has its own microclimate, each plant reacts in its own way and every corner has different exposure and winds.
For example, a vegetable garden in the south will have very different needs compared to a balcony facing north. The aromatic plants Like rosemary, sage or lavender they endure the drought well and must be watered only when needed. The paralysison the other hand, require constancy and humidity.
That’s why it is useful to keep a small diary of the garden: mark when it irrigates, observe what happens in the following days and draw their conclusions. In a short time a sort of mental map On how domestic green reacts to seasonal changes.
Who would have said that changing hours or waiting for one more day before irrigating could bring such evident benefits? Yet it happens. Just observe, try and learn to listen to your garden. Because, in the end, nature speaks. Just give it time to do it.
And when he does, it is surprising how much he can make himself understood, without even saying a word.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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