Green house: Smart watering to help tide over scorching summer

Maj Gen C S Bewli

Gardening in North India’s peak summer months of May and June can be demanding, but with smart techniques, it remains entirely manageable.

Plants may survive without fertilisers or hoeing, but not without water. Efficient watering practices are essential — not just for vibrant seasonal blooms and resilient perennials and ornamentals, but also for conserving water in a climate increasingly marked by heat and scarcity.

Intelligent strategy

Watering in the late evening minimises evaporation and improves absorption at the root zone.

Always water at the base of potted plants for maximum benefit. Plants situated in full sun or exposed to strong winds may require watering twice a day, especially if the soil dries out quickly. Even otherwise, water twice daily if the topsoil appears dry.

Checking soil moisture with simple smart tools before watering ensures water is used only when necessary, promoting sustainable and long-term garden health. Techniques such as organic mulching, moisture meters, drip irrigation, overhead sprinklers, hydro zoning and use of hydrogels help minimise water waste and reduce plant stress.

Overhead sprinklers

Overhead sprinkling distributes water evenly across large areas but can lead to water loss through evaporation and runoff. It is best used during cooler hours to minimise waste and maximise absorption. Sprinkler systems include rotating heads, timers, and adjustable nozzles to control coverage, pressure, and duration efficiently.

Overhead Sprinkling

Advantages:

• Delivers uniform water distribution over large areas, ideal for lawns and garden beds.
• Automated systems with timers reduce manual effort and ensure regular watering.
• Nozzles and rotating heads allow control over water pressure, direction, and area coverage.

  The writer is the President of National Cactus and Succulent Society of India

Organic Mulch

Applying a 2–3 inches layer of organic mulch — such as coconut husk, coco chips, dried leaves, grass clippings, straw, or wood chips (readily available on Amazon) — around plants can significantly reduce water requirements. For ornamental beds, decorative inorganic mulches like pebbles help protect the soil from moisture loss.

Mulch Magic helps

• Conserve soil moisture.
• Reduce soil temperatures by several degrees.
• Suppress weed growth that compete for water.
• Improve soil health as it decomposes.

Moisture Metres

Affordable and easy to use, moisture metres are excellent tools for home gardeners. They provide a quick and effective way to monitor soil moisture levels, helping to instantly assess dryness. These tools are especially useful for potted plants and garden beds, and often come with probes, digital displays, and multi-function sensors for light and pH monitoring.

Tools:

• Reduce guesswork and help conserve water.
• Check soil moisture levels before watering, using a simple handheld probe.
• Support healthy plant growth, especially during harsh summers.
• Prevent both overwatering and underwatering.
• Send alerts via connected mobile apps.
• Automate watering using a phone or remote control.

Hydro Zoning

A smart summer strategy involves grouping plants with similar watering needs — a technique known as hydro zoning. This efficient irrigation method reduces overwatering and ensures that no plant is left thirsty or unnecessarily drenched.

Seasonal plants generally have shallow roots and require frequent but moderate watering. Perennials, on the other hand, tend to develop deeper root systems over time and can withstand brief periods of drought when watered deeply and less frequently. Recognising these differences helps tailor watering schedules more effectively.

Hydro Zoning for Potted Plants (more species can be included)

1.Position some popular shade loving plant species together:

Water only when the top soil gets dry.

• Dieffenbachia seguine
• Spathiphyllum wallisii
• Aglaonema commutatum
• Caladium bicolor
• Polyscias fruticosa
• Ficus pumila variegated
• Coleus species
• Hosta species

2.Place High-Water-Need and full Sun Annuals Together:

• Tagetes erecta
• Celosia argentea
• Zinnia elegans

3.Create a Group of Drought-resilient plants:

Water once a day during late evenings.

• Succulents
• Lantanas
• Gaillardia
• Oleander
• Canna
• Bougainvillea

4.Make a group of plants to be kept in semi shade:

Keep the soil moist, even if it requires watering twice a day.

• Impatiens balsamina
• Ferns
• Gardenia

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a smart and efficient solution for summer watering. It delivers water directly to plant roots through a network of tubes, emitters, and connectors. With components like filters, timers, and pressure regulators, the system ensures precise watering, reduces evaporation, and conserves water.

It enhances water efficiency and:

• Delivers water directly to the roots, minimising evaporation.
• Uses significantly less water than sprinklers.
• Reduces plant stress and supports healthy root growth.
• Waters only targeted areas.
• Is suitable for pots, beds, and vegetable garden

Hydrogels

When the above-mentioned water-saving techniques are not feasible, hydrogels offer a practical alternative. These water-retaining crystals, available on Amazon, can expand more than 100 times their original size when soaked in water.

Mix the soaked hydrogels into the soil around the base of the plant and cover them with soil. They absorb and store moisture, gradually releasing it to the roots. This helps reduce the frequency of watering, prevents dehydration, and improves overall soil moisture retention.

Ideal for arid conditions, hydrogels support healthy plant growth even when temperatures soar above 45°C. This method is widely used in regions of our country that face water scarcity.

How much hydrogel to use:

Hydrogels typically remain effective in the soil for about a year. Water your plants only when you notice that the crystals have significantly shrunk.

• 6-inch diameter pot – 1 gram of hydrogel
• 10-inch diameter pot – 3 grams of hydrogel