Expert Handyman Services in Benfleet

Keeping your garden hydrated . . . Water is one of our most precious resources, and as summers get hotter and drier, we need to use water wisely in our gardens. These simple tips will help you give your plants the water they need with as little waste as possible. • Put your finger into the soil and if it is moist below the surface you don't need to water. • Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water. The foliage and soil surface is also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases. • Evening watering is also fine, as the cooler conditions mean less water is lost to evaporation. • Water the plant root zone to avoid wasting water where plants won't use it. • When watering containers, slowly add about 10% of the volume of the container. A saucer at the bottom will catch any excess and allow it to be reabsorbed. • Add organic material, e.g. well-rotten farmyard manure, to your soil as it improves the soil structure help light soils hold on to moisture thereby needing less water. It also helps heavy clay soils to drain better. • Mulching soil helps to stop moisture from evaporating. It’s best to do this in spring when the soil is still damp from the winter rains. Compost and bark chippings make good mulches. Apply a thick layer of mulch, at least 5cm (2in). More tips on our social media . . . .