Water is the main constituent of cell sap and is really a vital element for plant wellbeing. It is necessary for the process of photosynthesis, whereby water and carbon dioxide are transformed into food and transport nutrients for the plant. A good water source is also needed for respiration, seed germination and the development of healthy roots, shoots, foliage, flowers and fruits.
When rain (or water) soaks into the soil, it is soaked up by soil particles and then extracted from the soil by plant root hairs, together with any other dissolved nutrients.
Ideally, plant life should receive a regular supply of water; however, as rainfall can be unpredictable and varied, this is hardly ever the case unless of course they are grown in a strictly controlled setting.
Too Much Water (Waterlogging)
Poorly drained soils can lead to a build up of water that is very harmful to a plant's wellbeing. Waterlogging can lead to asphyxiation of the plant's roots, causing them to perish, and unless the site is fitted with improved drainage, most crops will fail to establish.
However, some plants are equipped to survive these conditions, including marginal plants and trees such as willow (Salix) or the deciduous conifer - swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum). It is one of the major trees within the Florida everglades, which is also fully hardy here inside the British Isles.
Too Little Water (Drought)
Too little water may be more harmful to a plant's development than too much. Although drought is from a technical perspective a prolonged period with out rainfall (usually more than two weeks), plants will begin to suffer a long time before this; plant functions will slow down, transpiration is lowered and the plant will begin to wilt.
Most plants will require additional watering during hot, dry summers, this is especially true if they're not completely established. Nonetheless, if drought may be a regular occurrence, you may want to think about planting cacti and other succulents that store water in their leaves, stems or roots which enable them to endure long periods of drought.
Be cautious of positioning plants near to a wall or fence; soil on the leeward side (the side that is sheltered from the wind) receives much less rainfall than ground on the windward side. It is known as a 'rain shadow'. Unless of course you are seeking for a really dry location in which to place plants, stay away from planting root systems closer than 45 cm (18 in) to the bottom of the wall.
Improving the Moisture Content of Soils
To enhance the drainage of soils:
- Put in man-made drainage.
- Double dig the soil, incorporating organic or inorganic matter to help bind the soil particles into crumbs.
- Consider creating a raised bed.
To boost the quantity of water accessible to plants:
- Dig in organic and natural matter such as compost to enhance the soil structure.
- Add a mulch layer, such as a 15 cm (6 in) layer of coarse bark or a plastic sheet kept in place with pegs.
- Eliminate weeds (this reduces the levels of competition for water and nutrients).
- Position plants away from areas of rain shadow.
When rain (or water) soaks into the soil, it is soaked up by soil particles and then extracted from the soil by plant root hairs, together with any other dissolved nutrients.
Ideally, plant life should receive a regular supply of water; however, as rainfall can be unpredictable and varied, this is hardly ever the case unless of course they are grown in a strictly controlled setting.
Too Much Water (Waterlogging)
Poorly drained soils can lead to a build up of water that is very harmful to a plant's wellbeing. Waterlogging can lead to asphyxiation of the plant's roots, causing them to perish, and unless the site is fitted with improved drainage, most crops will fail to establish.
However, some plants are equipped to survive these conditions, including marginal plants and trees such as willow (Salix) or the deciduous conifer - swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum). It is one of the major trees within the Florida everglades, which is also fully hardy here inside the British Isles.
Too Little Water (Drought)
Too little water may be more harmful to a plant's development than too much. Although drought is from a technical perspective a prolonged period with out rainfall (usually more than two weeks), plants will begin to suffer a long time before this; plant functions will slow down, transpiration is lowered and the plant will begin to wilt.
Most plants will require additional watering during hot, dry summers, this is especially true if they're not completely established. Nonetheless, if drought may be a regular occurrence, you may want to think about planting cacti and other succulents that store water in their leaves, stems or roots which enable them to endure long periods of drought.
Be cautious of positioning plants near to a wall or fence; soil on the leeward side (the side that is sheltered from the wind) receives much less rainfall than ground on the windward side. It is known as a 'rain shadow'. Unless of course you are seeking for a really dry location in which to place plants, stay away from planting root systems closer than 45 cm (18 in) to the bottom of the wall.
Improving the Moisture Content of Soils
To enhance the drainage of soils:
- Put in man-made drainage.
- Double dig the soil, incorporating organic or inorganic matter to help bind the soil particles into crumbs.
- Consider creating a raised bed.
To boost the quantity of water accessible to plants:
- Dig in organic and natural matter such as compost to enhance the soil structure.
- Add a mulch layer, such as a 15 cm (6 in) layer of coarse bark or a plastic sheet kept in place with pegs.
- Eliminate weeds (this reduces the levels of competition for water and nutrients).
- Position plants away from areas of rain shadow.
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