We all know that keeping your plants watered is the number one rule when it comes to tending to a garden, but did you know there are specific times of day when you should be breaking out the watering can in order to give your flowers the best chance of survival?
According to plant experts, many gardeners water their plants "too frequently", especially in the summer months when we think our flowers might need more water than normal because of how hot and dry the weather is.
But watering too much can cause problems with your blooms, as it means the plant won't develop a proper root system and will instead become "dependent" on surface water.
And when it comes to the best time of day to water your plants, experts say that in the summer, you should never water them in the morning.
Plant experts at Phostrogen told The Express: "An error often made by gardeners is watering too frequently, as this means the plant isn't encouraged to develop its own root system and search for water at a deep level, becoming dependent on the surface water provided instead.
"Depending on the texture of your soil and whether it is compacted or not, it will have a greater or lesser ability to hold water, which seeps down to the roots. There are four main types of soil to consider, so begin by identifying which type of soil you have.
"If your soil is sandy, water is often and a little at a time, as it can't hold a lot of water. Generally speaking, if it is more clay-like, you can freely water with large quantities of water, but less often."
The experts also said gardeners should be watering their plants more regularly during hot spells, but should only ever do it in the evening, as watering plants in the sunlight could result in "burning".
They added: "Of course, water more regularly during summer months and hot spells. In spring and autumn, water early in the morning, but in the summer, it can be best to wait until the evening as watering during full sun can burn the plants."
When watering in the evening, there is less chance of evaporation, which means the plant will actually receive all of the water given to it.
And you should always try to direct the water toward the root of the plant, taking care to avoid any of the plant's leaves, as this can encourage diseases.
"Think about where your plants are positioned," the experts said, "South-facing plants are likely to need more water as the direct sun will dry out the soil quickly, and remember that some plants and vegetables prefer more water than others.
"For example, tomatoes and roses are thirsty and require lots of watering, whereas plants such as lavender and poppies and vegetables like asparagus do not, every plant is different."
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